The owners of a new African and Asian supermarket on the site of a multicultural centre burnt out by arsonists have spoken of their desire to serve all the community.
The store is located where the Belfast Multicultural Association (BMCA), which was subjected to a series of racist attacks, had stood.
In February 2023, the BMCA announced it was selling its premises on Donegall Pass and vowed “never to return” after it was attacked in what police treated as hate crimes.
The centre was also badly damaged in attacks in January 2021 and April 2022, leaving members anxious and scared about returning.
The BMCA said it was “with a heavy heart” that it decided to sell.
However, Alif’s Asian and African supermarket is set to open later this month at the location of the BMCA.
The new Alif Supermarket & Wholesale business in Donegall Pass, south Belfast (Pic: Peter Morrison)
Its owners said that, despite past events, they want to continue serving the community, adding that they have been informed they will not be at risk of further attacks.
The supermarket, which will sell household goods as well as food products “for all cultures”, was purchased and developed by Ahmed Al last year.
Ahmed’s daughter Mayesha, speaking on behalf of her father, said the family are excited for their new venture, which will be her father’s first business.
“The supermarket will sell food and products for all different cultures, but it will also specialise in household goods [including] pots and pans and decorations,” she said.
Mayesha, whose parents are from Bangladesh, added: “It has been a lot of work and we’re very close to opening. We hope it will be later this month. We’ve very excited.”
Due to the supermarket being located in a place where various attacks occurred in the past, Mayesha admitted that her family have had “conversations about safety” in the hopes the business is not targeted in the same way.
“We were nervous about it,” Mayesha said, “but my father has talked to some people in the community and we have been told that we’ll be left unharmed and alone, because it’s a supermarket and not something linked to religion — because so many people thought BMCA was a mosque, which it wasn’t.
“I personally have never experienced anything like this in Belfast. The entire riots and race attacks last year were incredibly distressing for us and for my family.
“My father always wants to try new things and this is why we’re doing this.
“We hope that all goes well and that everyone welcomes us.
“We would like to have a grand opening for our friends, families and for the community, who have been eagerly waiting for the shop’s opening as well.
“We just want to serve the community around us.”
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In 2023, the BMCA said it had been greatly discouraged by the spate of attacks.
“After the first arson attack we had great hopes that we could return to the building and further develop our plans for the centre,” it said at the time.
“The tremendous support and donations from the wider community really inspired us, and we could see a shared future.
“Sadly, just hours after the repairs were completed, a second, devastating arson attack was carried out.
“Whilst the racist and Islamophobic attack was condemned by many, the result has left us speechless and we made many attempts to engage in shared dialogue but we were met by a wall of silence.
“This has been deeply discouraging.”
News Catch Up – Sunday 9 February