Hundreds of people have started gathering for an open-air prayer event in Birmingham ahead of a funeral later for three men killed during city riots.
Haroon Jahan, 21, Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, were hit by a car as they protected stores from looters in Winson Green, Birmingham, on 10 August.
The prayer event takes place from 15:00 BST in Summerfield Park, Winson Green, ahead of the men’s private burials.
Four people have been charged with murder and were remanded in custody.
The men’s deaths came amid mass rioting across England.
Community prayers In other riot-related developments:
- Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith said the riots would be a turning point in David Cameron’s leadership. The secretary of state for work and pensions said the looting and violence of last week had been a warning of a social crisis in Britain
- Prince Harry has visited Salford to meet fire crews and other members of the emergency services who were on duty in the disturbances, as well as community groups
- Ex-Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, a QC and former leading criminal prosecutor, said any attempt by MPs to influence judges’ decisions was “not consistent with the rule of law”
- The Ministry of Justice said nearly 1,300 people arrested in connection with the riots across England had now appeared before magistrates
‘Best of humanity’ The bodies of the three men were released to the families by Birmingham and Solihull coroner Aidan Cotter on Wednesday night.
People gathered in Summerfield Park to pray for the three men on the day of their funeral
Following the deaths, Haroon’s father Tariq Jahan urged the community to remain peaceful and united and his words were credited by police for preventing the spread of further tensions and disorder in the city.
In a statement, the families of the men said they were expecting a large number of people to attend the funeral service and members of all communities and faiths were welcome.
Atif Iqbal, from the multi-faith group United Birmingham, said the number of people turning out show their respects would be testimony to the men’s honour.
“Tariq Jahan has become an inspiration for all of us because he really at that moment in time showed the best of humanity,” he said.
“He wasn’t angry, he wasn’t shouting, no bitterness, he was a calming, reassuring voice and single-handedly, there’s no doubt about it, he brought peace and calm to the streets not only of Winson Green and Birmingham, but he had a profound impact nationally as well.”
Speeches were being made in the park by invited speakers before the Janazah [funeral] Prayer, which was due to start at about 15:00 BST.
Police said there would be a “visible presence” of officers at the service.
The prayers will be followed by a private burial service in Handsworth Cemetery.
Tariq Jahan made an appeal for calm following his son's death
Shopkeepers in West Bromwich town centre, which was also targeted by looters, are planning to hold a two-minute silence at 11:00 BST on Friday as a mark of respect to the three victims.
Sandwell Borough Council leader Darren Cooper said: "This is a wonderful idea, which will give ordinary people a chance to show their feelings and demonstrate their support and compassion for the victims and their families."
Mr Jahan described his relationship with his son as very close and said losing a family member was something no mother, father, son or sister should endure.
Crimewatch riot special Abdul Quddoos, brother of Shazad and Abdul, said they were “heroes of the moment” and would be missed.
About 250 people attended a peaceful vigil in Dudley Road in Winson Green hours after the crash.
Joshua Donald, 26, Adam King, 23, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, have appeared in court in Birmingham charged with murdering the three men in the crash.
Ian Beckford, 30, from Quinton, Birmingham, appeared before city magistrates earlier on Thursday charged with murder.
All four have been remanded in custody to appear at crown court in December.
A special half-hour Crimewatch programme on Thursday will be dedicated to identifying looters in Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
