(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Around 1,500 people gathered at a peace rally in Birmingham today, calling for unity after an "incredibly long and difficult week" which saw the city looted and trashed by rampaging thugs.
In a moving ceremony, three men who died protecting their families and property at the height of the violence were hailed as martyrs who were willing to lay down their lives for their community: Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, all suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a car in the early hours of Wednesday.
Held at Summerfield Park in the Handsworth area of the Birmingham, faith leaders from the city's various religious community, including Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Muslims, gathered together from and offered prayers for the three men.
The assembled crowd fell silent and strained to listen when the father of one of the dead men addressed them from the stage.
A senior police officer said the event was an opportunity to draw a line under the scenes of destruction and "move on with purpose".
Two men and a teenager have now been charged with three counts of murder in relation to the deaths. Joshua Donald, 26, Adam King, 23, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, are all due to appear in court tomorrow.
A family atmosphere prevailed throughout the two-hour event which called for "One city, one voice for peace".
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15 August 2011 - 19:30
News ID: 259879
Around 1,500 people gathered at a peace rally in Birmingham today, calling for unity after an "incredibly long and difficult week" which saw the city looted and trashed by rampaging thugs.
