Tariq Jahan: How a son's death in the 2011 riots gave his father a new purpose

The widespread violence and looting during the summer 2011 riots laid bare the anger and frustrations of swathes of people across the country. Five people died as a result of the riots; one of them was 19-year-old Haroon Jahan, who was helping to guard local businesses in Birmingham, with brothers Abdul Musavir, 30, and Shahzad Ali, 31. The trio were run down by a speeding car. Their deaths sparked fury but Haroon’s father, Tariq Jahan, urged calm, saying: “Black, white, Asians – we all live in the same community… Step forward if you want to lose your son. Otherwise, calm down and go home – please.”

Mr Jahan, now 50, was hailed a hero. More than four years later, as he continues to come to terms with Haroon’s death, he is devoting his life to helping others and has set up a charity, the Haroon Jahan Foundation, in memory of his son.

On Friday night a shipping container filled with thousands of items of winter clothing, shoes, tents and sleeping bags that Mr Jahan has collected was due to set off for Lesbos, where the supplies will be distributed among refugees on the Greek island.

“I know what it felt like when the British public helped me when I lost my son. Whatever time I’ve got left, I need to help as many people as possible, in any way,” Mr Jahan told The Independent. “Every day I’m down at the warehouse – hotels, businesses, people from all walks of life: everyone has donated.”

Mr Jahan said he hoped Haroon would have been proud of his work.

“As a parent, you don’t see him as gone. It’s like being at the doctor’s in the waiting room – he’s gone in for his appointment, you wait your turn. When my time comes I will see him on the other side of that door.”