This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-22454623
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Riots peacemaker Tariq Jahan makes Syria appeal after aid mission | Riots peacemaker Tariq Jahan makes Syria appeal after aid mission |
(35 minutes later) | |
A father whose son was killed in Birmingham during the 2011 riots has appealed for more help for Syria after joining an aid mission to the country. | A father whose son was killed in Birmingham during the 2011 riots has appealed for more help for Syria after joining an aid mission to the country. |
Tariq Jahan helped deliver flour over the Turkish-Syrian border to refugees. | Tariq Jahan helped deliver flour over the Turkish-Syrian border to refugees. |
The 47-year-old said he had been spurred on to make the trip by the memory of his son, Haroon, after being invited by the UK charity Human Appeal. | The 47-year-old said he had been spurred on to make the trip by the memory of his son, Haroon, after being invited by the UK charity Human Appeal. |
He said more aid was "desperately needed" for people seeking shelter in refugee camps. | He said more aid was "desperately needed" for people seeking shelter in refugee camps. |
Over the four-day trip to Syria, Mr Jahan visited hospitals, schools and refugee camps, where he described conditions as "awful". | Over the four-day trip to Syria, Mr Jahan visited hospitals, schools and refugee camps, where he described conditions as "awful". |
He said: "They need food and water, their shelters are inadequate and there were no such things as toilets, just open running sewers. | He said: "They need food and water, their shelters are inadequate and there were no such things as toilets, just open running sewers. |
"People are still positive, they have amazing strength considering the circumstances they are in, but a lot more needs to be done to help them." | "People are still positive, they have amazing strength considering the circumstances they are in, but a lot more needs to be done to help them." |
'Brought to tears' | 'Brought to tears' |
Mr Jahan, said the convoy was originally stopped from crossing the border over fears it could be targeted by bombers. | Mr Jahan, said the convoy was originally stopped from crossing the border over fears it could be targeted by bombers. |
"We were told some lorries had been hit in an air strike and sources within Syria were afraid that we were the initial target," he said. | "We were told some lorries had been hit in an air strike and sources within Syria were afraid that we were the initial target," he said. |
It was later allowed to cross the border. | |
Mr Jahan was credited with helping to prevent the 2011 riots from escalating in Birmingham when he appealed for calm following the death of his son. | Mr Jahan was credited with helping to prevent the 2011 riots from escalating in Birmingham when he appealed for calm following the death of his son. |
He was later given a Pride of Britain award for his actions. | He was later given a Pride of Britain award for his actions. |
He said he had been "brought to tears" by the plight of a 10-year-old refugee who told him she would "pray for his son". | He said he had been "brought to tears" by the plight of a 10-year-old refugee who told him she would "pray for his son". |
"I looked at her and I was shocked at what she was saying to me because in her situation she had offered to pray for my son...it was amazing." | "I looked at her and I was shocked at what she was saying to me because in her situation she had offered to pray for my son...it was amazing." |
Mr Jahan said he planned to go back to Syria on another aid mission later this year. | Mr Jahan said he planned to go back to Syria on another aid mission later this year. |
He said: "If I could somehow make people understand the austerity cuts here are nothing compared to what Syrian people are suffering right now. | He said: "If I could somehow make people understand the austerity cuts here are nothing compared to what Syrian people are suffering right now. |
"The smallest donation makes an enormous impact in their country." | "The smallest donation makes an enormous impact in their country." |
Previous version
1
Next version