'We refuse to let hate have the last word': Fundraiser launched to rebuild Belfast supermarket destroyed in riots
More than £700 has been raised after Sham Supermarket was severely damaged in a fire during recent anti-immigration unrest, just months after reopening following an earlier attack
A fundraising campaign has been launched to support the rebuilding of a Belfast supermarket that was destroyed during recent unrest in the city.
Sham Supermarket was extensively vandalised and damaged by fire on 9 June during anti-immigration riots, prompting supporters to set up a GoFundMe appeal to help the owners recover their losses and reopen the business.
The campaign, organised by Mohamad Dib Ibrahim Alnajjar, has so far raised £709 from 28 donations toward a £26,000 target.
It is understood the owners, Mohammed and Sultan, came to Northern Ireland after leaving Syria in search of a new life. However, for a second time in two years, their shop has been destroyed, leaving them facing significant financial and emotional setbacks.
In a statement on the fundraising page, the organiser described the impact of the incident: “Our hearts are completely broken. On 9th June 2026, Sham Supermarket in Belfast — a place built with love, hard work, and a dream to serve our beautiful community — was targeted, vandalised, and set on fire during the recent anti-immigration unrest.
“As you can see from the pictures, the destruction is total. What was once a vibrant, clean, and welcoming grocery store, stocked with fresh food and essential goods for local families, has been reduced to ashes, melted shelves, and rubble.”
The appeal states that the shop had only recently reopened after previously being damaged in 2024.
“After only three months since reopening again, after it was previously destroyed in 2024, months of dedication and hard work were undone in a single night of senseless violence,” the organiser said.
“Sham Supermarket was more than just a business; it was a valued part of Belfast’s diverse community, serving customers with care and respect. This devastating fire has not only destroyed a building and its stock, but has also affected the livelihood of a family who hoped to contribute positively to the city they call home.”
Appealing for support, the organiser added: “But we refuse to let hate have the last word. Belfast is a city known for its resilience, its warmth, and its strong community spirit.
“We are launching this GoFundMe campaign to help the owners of Sham Supermarket clear the wreckage, recover from this financial loss, and rebuild from the ground up. Every penny raised will go directly to the family to cover immediate emergency costs, structural repairs, and replacing lost stock.
“Donate: No matter how small, every contribution is a statement of solidarity and a step toward reopening our neighbourhood store.
“Share: Please share this link with friends, family, and on social media so this message of hope can spread further than the act of destruction.
“Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for showing that community and solidarity can endure even in difficult times.
“Together, we will rebuild Sham Supermarket.”