‘Celebrating Success’ Awards recognise charity work of the Haroon Jehan Foundation
A man whose son was killed in the Winson Green riots in Birmingham was honoured with the ‘Special Initiative Award’ at the 6th Annual Hamara Awards, hosted at the Aagrah Midpoint in Bradford.
Tariq Jehan, aged 50, has an online petition that has gathered nearly 18,000 signatures, and demands that the Home Secretary set up a public inquiry to re-examine the police investigation into the murders of his son, Haroon Jehan – and two other men called Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir – in the riots of August 2011.
Mr Jehan wants a public enquiry so that answers can be provided to the families and to ensure that those responsible for the unlawful killings are brought to justice, as no-one has yet been convicted for the crimes as the trial collapsed.
The inquiry has since been backed by Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron has previously invited him to Downing Street for talks about the situation.
Since the tragic event happened, Mr Jehan has become an inspiration to the community after taking part in charity work in Syria and the Greek island of Lesbos. He has also set up a charity in his son’s name: the Haroon Jehan Foundation.
During his award speech, Mr Jehan said: “Four years on, who am I but a father, who was a simple lorry driver. Then we had the riots, I lost my son and now I go around the world helping people.”
He continued: “I thought there couldn’t be anything more painful than losing a child. But a charity organization brought me to Syria in 2012 and I saw it with my own eyes.
“I picked up children whose limbs had been blown off and took them to hospital. One little girl who had lost her arm thought I was an angel.”
Mr Jehan went on to say that the media only tells part of the story and that the public sees just half of the suffering that takes place.
He finished off his speech by emphasising: “We are one big family.”
Hamara Community Awards branded this year’s event as ‘Celebrating Success’. The awards aim to recognise the contribution of individuals or groups who continue to have a positive influence on the region.
Joined on the night were representatives of high profile sports teams, such as the Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The winning individuals received their accolades in front of a packed audience.
