Up to 20,000 at riot victims’ funerals

UP to 20,000 mourners turned out for the funerals of three men killed as they tried to protect shops and homes from looters.

Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, died in the early hours of August 10 after they were struck by a car during riots in the Winson Green area of Birmingham.

An open-air prayer service was held for them near the murder scene, where they were hailed as martyrs.

Many in the crowd sported T-shirts printed with the names of the victims, beneath the heading “My Brothers”.

A message on screens erected at Winson Green read: “Three precious souls gave their lives protecting all of us.”

In sombre scenes, the legions of mourners comforted each other, some wiping away tears but most remaining calm and stoical.

Scholar Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, who spoke at the ceremony, said: “They made an example of how a Muslim should be and what Islam is . . .

“These three people are martyrs and the best we can do for them is to pray for them and for ourselves. To pray for our community.”

Jahan’s father, Tariq Jahan, spoke briefly to thank everyone for coming to the service at Summerfield Park in Dudley Road.