A Syrian man whose shop was burnt down following a series of racist attacks in south Belfast has started a “new chapter in my life” after opening new premises in the west of the city.
Ahmad Alkhamran (38) said he feels “safe and happy” after putting the turmoil of the terrifying attacks last year behind him.
On Saturday, he opened the doors of Al Rayan Supermarket on the Falls Road, serving Mediterranean food, spices and coffee, and has already received a “positive welcome” from the local community.
It comes after his shop on the Donegall Road was set on fire in an arson attack last September, just two days before it was due to open.
It was the fourth incident on his store in just two weeks, which had included a spray-painted message on the shutters, which read “local houses an shops only”.
Mr Alkhamran, who came to Northern Ireland after fleeing the war in Syria in 2016, said he had “worked day and night” as a taxi driver to earn enough money to set up the first shop.
“It was a disaster for me, the Donegall Road shop was a nightmare,” he said.
“It was set on fire two days before I opened, it was hard. I had come here from Syria, I crossed 12 countries to get to Northern Ireland as I wanted to start a new life here.
“I learned English and knew I wanted was to open a small business.
“I found the shop on the Donegall Road and then this happened to me, I had to get away from that area, I needed to be safe, I needed to feel comfortable.”
In recent months Mr Alkhamran was supported by SDLP councillor Paul Doherty in securing new premises in west Belfast.
“Paul helped me find the shop and took me to meet neighbours and the community, they have all been very welcoming,” he said.
“I feel like I am welcome here, I am safe and happy and comfortable.
“I opened on Saturday and people have been coming in to see the shop, they’ve made me welcome.
“They told me, ‘you are welcome here and glad you have opened here’ - that makes me happy.”
Mr Alkhamran said he now wants to put the racist attacks behind him and focus on the future.
“Maybe some people don’t like me, but the majority of people like me and accept me,” he said.
“I have started a new chapter in my life, I want to build up my business and serve the community.”
Mr Doherty said: “A friend of Ahmad reached out to me to see if I could help, he had suffered immeasurably as a result of being forced out of the Donegall Road area.
“He had worked so hard to get the shop up and running, for that to then happen him was terrible.
“It was always his dream and ambition to have his own shop in Belfast and I worked with him to find a suitable place to open his shop.”
Introducing Mr Alkhamran to members of the local community, Mr Doherty said people had been “very welcoming”.
“It’s a great store and a great addition to the entire community, people young and old are coming into the store,” he said.
Racist thugs burnt out Ahmad's grocery store on the Donegall Road in South Belfast last year.
— Paul Doherty (@PaulDoherty___) March 9, 2024
Glad to support him in his journey towards opening a new shop on the Falls Road today. Good to see the whole community getting behind him and wishing him the very best.
He has worked… pic.twitter.com/JRTI7rCOWh
