Community leaders and immigrant support organizations in Belfast have warned that recent anti-immigrant violence reflects deeper social tensions that have been building for years beneath the surface of Northern Ireland’s communities.

Speaking after unrest that targeted immigrant-owned properties and left residents fearful for their safety, local advocates said the violence did not emerge in isolation but followed a prolonged period of growing hostility toward migrants and ethnic minorities.One local resident whose business was attacked described how an individual attempted to gain entry to a building before being turned away.

According to the account, the person then moved around the property, smashed a window and threw an incendiary device.Community representatives said the incident has heightened concerns among immigrant families and refugees already worried about their safety.

The violence has also disrupted the work of organizations supporting newcomers. The 174 Trust, a Belfast-based charity focused on building relationships between local residents and immigrant communities, was forced to halt activities after the disturbances. Refugees displaced from their homes have since sought assistance through the organization’s clothing bank and support services.

Tim Magowan, executive director of the 174 Trust, said recent incidents have exposed tensions that many minority residents have experienced for years.”What was clear was it was underneath the surface, bubbling away,” Magowan said.

According to Magowan, many people from ethnic minority backgrounds living in Northern Ireland have personal experiences of discrimination or hostility. He said the recent unrest has highlighted the need for broader efforts to address prejudice and strengthen community relations.

The violence follows previous episodes of disorder, including riots in Ballymena last year, which also drew attention to concerns about racism and anti-immigrant sentiment in some communities.Observers have pointed to the role of social media and anti-immigration rhetoric in shaping public attitudes.

Some community leaders argue that narratives portraying immigrants as a threat have become increasingly visible online and have contributed to an atmosphere in which hostility is more openly expressed.Magowan noted that Northern Ireland remains less ethnically diverse than many other parts of the United Kingdom.

He estimated that people of colour account for only a small proportion of the local population, which can contribute to limited interaction between different communities.He also argued that Northern Ireland’s history of sectarian division has shaped how communities perceive identity and difference.

Many residents continue to live in largely homogeneous neighbourhoods, while physical and psychological barriers built over decades of conflict remain present in everyday life.

According to Magowan, these historical patterns have influenced how some people respond to demographic change and increasing diversity.Community organizations are continuing efforts to support those affected by the violence while calling for stronger action to counter racism and improve understanding between established residents and newer arrivals.

He emphasized that philanthropy should be seen as a strategic tool, not merely the act of wealthy donors giving money, and that it can act as a catalyst to de-risk and crowd in private investment, particularly in sectors such as technology and social entrepreneurship.

Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and chairman of Gulftainer, noted that philanthropic capital is often underestimated globally, with private philanthropy in the U.S. surpassing $600 billion in recent years and global philanthropy reaching around $2 trillion annually.

He argued that aligning capital across philanthropy, business, and government creates a multiplier effect that can accelerate development and humanitarian outcomes.

According to Jafar, strategic philanthropy helps address pressing challenges including regional conflicts, political extremism, refugee crises, and environmental issues, complementing government aid and development programs.

He also discussed his book, “The Business of Philanthropy: Perspectives and Insights from Global Thought Leaders on How to Change the World,” which features interviews with 50 leading philanthropists including Bill Gates, Kristalina Georgieva, and Razan Al-Mubarak.

The book’s provocative title aims to challenge the business world to learn from philanthropy while encouraging philanthropists to adopt strategic approaches informed by business principles.

Jafar stressed that the combination of public and private capital, when effectively coordinated, can unlock unprecedented opportunities for investment and social impact.

Growing up in Sharjah, Jafar credited his family with instilling a strong sense of giving and responsibility to the community, and he donates all royalties from his book to the International Rescue Committee to support children affected by armed conflict.

He highlighted that modern philanthropy goes beyond charity, acting as a significant part of the global capital system, often regarded as peripheral or viewed with suspicion, but with the potential to address some of the world’s most urgent humanitarian and development challenges.

The visit highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to global relief efforts and its partnership with international organizations to support vulnerable populations.

Guterres met with Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, along with senior officials, to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN in New York, Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Wasil, also participated in the discussions, reflecting the high-level engagement of both sides.

The meetings focused on humanitarian priorities, relief programs, and strategies to strengthen joint operations between KSrelief and UN agencies.

The dialogue emphasized innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in delivering aid to regions affected by conflict, disasters, and humanitarian crises.

Officials presented an overview of KSrelief’s global portfolio, which now includes 3,881 active projects across 109 countries, with a combined value exceeding $8 billion.

The portfolio covers diverse programs, from medical aid and artificial limbs distribution to educational and reintegration initiatives for children affected by conflict.

Guterres was briefed on key initiatives such as the Masam demining program in Yemen, which removes landmines and unexploded ordnance to protect civilian communities.

The center’s Conjoined Twins Program and voluntary medical missions were also highlighted as examples of Saudi-led innovation and international collaboration.

The visit included a tour of KSrelief’s permanent exhibition, which features an interactive map showing beneficiary countries and multimedia stories that demonstrate the impact of the center’s work.

Guterres experienced the “messages of hope” corner, using virtual-reality technology to understand the perspectives of refugees and displaced populations firsthand.

The UN chief also met Saudi medical volunteers who participate in KSrelief missions abroad, hearing personal accounts of their dedication to saving lives and delivering assistance on the ground.

These interactions underscored the human element of humanitarian work and the importance of training, preparedness, and cross-border coordination.

Guterres further visited offices of partner organizations housed within the center to learn about joint programs and collaborative efforts that amplify the reach and effectiveness of humanitarian aid.

The engagement highlighted KSrelief’s role as a hub for international cooperation, fostering partnerships that benefit communities globally.

The visit reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to addressing humanitarian needs through innovation, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.

KSrelief continues to set standards in efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness in relief operations, making a significant contribution to international humanitarian efforts.

Through initiatives like digital relief platforms, international registration systems, and capacity-building programs, KSrelief is helping transform the delivery of aid worldwide.

The collaboration with the UN exemplifies how global institutions can work together to support vulnerable populations and build resilient communities.

The meeting and tour of KSrelief by the UN Secretary-General demonstrate the Kingdom’s leadership in humanitarian action and its strategic vision for global relief.

By fostering partnerships, advancing innovative programs, and prioritizing the needs of affected populations, Saudi Arabia continues to positively impact millions of lives worldwide.

“Coming from a medical background, I’m naturally optimistic,” Al-Rabeeah told Arab News on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York. “With increasing acceptance of Palestine by many countries, particularly in the West, we are moving closer to achieving a durable solution.”

The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, led to the adoption of the New York Declaration—a comprehensive roadmap outlining timebound, actionable steps to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Endorsed by the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support, the declaration provides a multi-dimensional framework covering political governance, security, humanitarian assistance, economic recovery, and legal accountability. Key measures include an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reunification with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority (excluding Hamas), a temporary UN-led stabilization mission, and a halt to Israeli settlement expansion.

“The people of Palestine have endured immense suffering for many years,” Al-Rabeeah said. “The two-state solution remains the only viable path for long-term peace and a brighter future for Palestinians.”

Al-Rabeeah also highlighted global humanitarian challenges, ahead of a high-level UN meeting on displaced populations. With over 130 million people displaced worldwide and donor fatigue threatening aid efforts, he called for renewed international commitment.

“We face multiple crises — in Sudan, Ukraine, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and beyond,” he noted. “This meeting is essential to highlight the urgency of resolving ongoing crises, preventing new ones, and ensuring a better future for refugees and displaced communities.”