A fundraiser for a Belfast cafe attacked during the disorder in the city centre on Saturday has raised over £30,000.
The Sahara Shisha Cafe located on Botanic Avenue was attacked during trouble linked to an anti-immigration march.
While a rally at the city hall ended shortly before 1pm yesterday, anti-immigration protesters moved on to south Belfast, arriving on Ormeau Road where around 100 local residents turned them back.
Several businesses around Botanic Avenue were targeted.
Damage to a cafe in south Belfast. Photo: Kevin Scott.
Windows were smashed and furniture broken at the Sahara shisha cafe. Its owner Rahmi, who has been in Belfast for 35 years, said he did not “know how to explain” what happened to his children.
A GoFundMe fundraiser for the owner has now been set up and raised over £10,000 in less than 24 hours, before rising to over £30,000 at the time of writing.
The fundraiser was set up by Stephen Montgomery who said the purpose of the appeal was to get the business “back on their feet again and to show them we stand behind them against this terrible act of hatred”.
“Nothing left just ashes” – Businesses destroyed during night of racist disorder in south Belfast
“Some of you may have seen recently that there was a video circulating online of a hate group targeting the shop. This resulted in the smashing of the front of the shop including outside furniture and glass windows,” he said.
“This act of hate was a result of the Islamophobic “protests” held in the city earlier that day which spiralled out of control.
“The only reason this cafe was targeted was because of the owners being Muslim. An act of racism which we don’t tolerate in our city.
“I would ask if you could please find it in your hearts to donate to this small business to help them get back on their feet again and to show them we stand behind them against this terrible act of hatred.”
In a later update the Mr Montgomery said other impacted businesses would also be helped with the funds.
“We’re absolutely overwhelmed and in awe at everyone’s gratitude during these dark times,” he added.
“I just wanted to jump on to make you aware that because of how much that’s been donated we’re now in the position to incorporate other businesses who have been affected.”