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Issue 268, Friday 26 August 2011 - 26 Ramadan 1432 25,000 mourn death of three Muslims murdered in Birmingham riots By Aishah Ali in Birmingham Last Thursday [August 18], 25,000 people from diverse faiths attended open-air funeral of three Muslims who were murdered during the riots. This was followed by a private burial attended by close family members. Haroon Jahan, 21, and two brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, were struck by a car as it drove into them on Dudley Road, Winson Green, whilst they stood protecting shops from looters on Wednesday August 10. On Tuesday night hours before the murder, around 80 people had gathered along the road, some had come out immediately after the night prayers from the local mosque to protect their community from the violence and looting. Two men Joshua Donald, 26, Adam King, 23, and a 17-year-old were charged with murder at Birmingham Crown Court on August 15. They were remanded in custody to appear again on December 9. Four other men have been bailed pending further enquiries. Speeches from family members and dignitaries praised the young men for their courage and determination to protect the properties of the fellow citizens in Birmingham. Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, the main speaker at the ceremony who led the funeral prayers, said, “On that blessed morning, these martyrs sacrificed themselves to defend our community, to defend their family members, to defend their homes. They made an example of how a Muslim should be and what Islam is.” Councillor Ayub Khan, who spoke on behalf of both families, said, “What they were doing was nothing short of their religious, moral and ethical duty as proud British Muslims. We salute their sacrifice.” He also paid tribute to both families by saying, “I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and appreciate the self-control, maturity and humility that you (the family) have shown.” Sumera Ali, 25, sister of the two brothers, and her cousins, Akeela Majeed, 24, Sobia Nazia, 29, explained that “a car hit into them after racing up and down, they were out to kill.” In an exclusive interviews with The Muslim News they said that “it was a big shock” for Ali’s wife, who had recently arrived in the country, and is four months pregnant. Additionally, the grieving father, Gozanfar Ali, had fainted when he visited the hospital in the morning as he tried to grasp the horrific reality of losing the two sons at once. “They were hardworking, well known and liked, very lively and bubbly,” said Majeed. Nazia said the boys were “quite strong, no matter what they go through they come out of it. So when I heard my cousins were at the hospital I thought they would get through it. But the accident was pretty bad.” Nazia could not believe “they had gone. I think they will walk through the door any minute.” She did not want revenge. “There might be tensions but is not in our name. We don’t want anyone to avenge the deaths. People should stay safe and away from violence. It’s the month of Ramadan, we should be concentrating on praying. They have died as martyrs.” Another cousin, Naser Khan, discussing the riots told The Muslim News , “We had nothing to do with the violence, but we lost our brothers, we now want justice obviously.” Khan was angry that the police were not doing enough to protect the communities. “Police were not doing enough. Now they are, miraculously. But it’s too late, three lives have been lost.” Speaking about the rioters and looters the cousins said “stricter action is needed because people are not afraid of prisons.” Majeed added, “We don’t want anyone to avenge the deaths, people should stay safe and out of violence.” This was reiterated by a cousin of Haroon Jahan who told The Muslim News that, “it could have easily been a case of an eye for an eye, but that is not what we want.” This sense of shock and dismay was felt throughout the community, sending potential waves of reprisals across the city as emotions intensified. However, this was immediately quelled by Tariq Jahan, 45, father of Haroon, who spoke with great composure outside his home hours after losing his son. He said, “We stand here to plead with all the youth to stay calm and for our communities to stand united. Blacks, Asians, whites, we all live in the same community. Why do we have to kill one another? Step forward if you want to lose your sons. Otherwise, calm down and go home please.” Jahan later told The Muslim News, “It’s Ramadan and I just want people to pray for him. As a father I feel shattered. I’m half the man I was. No words in the world can describe how I’m feeling. He was a great man.” Jahan’s display of immense dignity and calmness was praised by many at peace rally at Summerfield Park, Birmingham, held on August 15. Birmingham Councillor, Mike Whitby, addressed the crowd saying, “As a Christian I looked on to a Muslim who stood in front of the world and said I have lost my son, please forgive the people who carried that out. That is the tenet for those of you who don’t understand the power of faith.” Councillor Paul Tilsley also echoed this, “The society at large should recognise Tariq Jahan for what he did. As a father I was deeply humbled by his comments, by his humility – he is an inspiration for us all.” The 2,000 people who were estimated at the rally were greeted with a large banner, the message was clear, ‘United Birmingham, one city, one voice for peace.’ Abdul Qudoos, the elder brother of Shazad and Musavir, emphasised this point as he emotionally appealed for unity: “May three martyred brothers, their life mean something to all you brothers and sisters out there. Please do not divide. Let people know we are all good and the little minority out there that has been stupid - let them be. Let’s just unite.” The diverse audience, from many faiths, races and backgrounds, had come together to reflect the strength of Birmingham after their city was hounded by rioters and looters. Margret Owens said, “It’s great to see the city united like this, and hopefully everybody will not judge us by the criminal acts of a few individuals.” Wearing a white t-shirt with the words ‘Haroon, Abdul, Shazad RIP’ Tariq Jahan appeared before the applauding audience. “I’m not a speech maker and I don’t know what to say, but to see the community together gives me strength in my heart,” he told the peace rally. He also stressed that “these three boys didn’t die in vain, they died for this community and I hope this community remembers them forever.” Related Article: Hail Muslims for their response to riots |