Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘Bullied’ Syrian teen set to join new Yorkshire school

by LAUREN CODLING

A SYRIAN refugee boy who was bullied and “waterboarded” at a Huddersfield school will relocate to a different institute in west Yorkshire, a lawyer representing him confirmed last week.


It was further announced that the boy’s family would pursue legal action against far-right activist Tommy Robinson after he “published lies” about their son, alleging the 15-year-old had been bullying female students at the school.

Last month, a video of the teenager, known only as Jamal, went viral, after it showed him being attacked by another student.

He has apparently suffered at the hands of bullies for two years since he moved to Huddersfield with his family.

There has been an outpouring of support for the student, including an online funding page which raised £158,089 to support Jamal and his family.

Last week, Eastern Eye spoke to Tasnime Akunjee, the lawyer representing Jamal and his family.

Revealing the family were coping “okay,” Akunjee confirmed that they were planning to relocate to a different area in west Yorkshire.

The family were taking time to make sure Jamal and his sister would be placed in a school which would be suitable for them.

Akunjee said he was in the process of collecting evidence against Ukip advisor Robinson,

who falsely accused Jamal of bullying his fellow students.

In another video – which also went viral – Robinson claimed the teenager had attacked

two schoolgirls.

When Akunjee wrote to Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, to inform him that legal action was being pursued against him, the English Defence League (EDL) founder apparently admitted it was fake news.

“Mr Yaxley-Lennon, rather than offer sympathy for a child victim or just stay quiet, took

the opportunity to publish lies about Jamal,” Akunjee said.

“He has attempted to create a racial division and has taken it upon himself to destroy and counter the narrative of this whole story.”

As Eastern Eye went to press on Tuesday (11), it was further reported that Robinson had been threatened with legal action after he posted a video identifying and interviewing the boy accused of bullying Jamal.

The alleged perpetrator has been reported for summons for an offence of assault ahead of a youth court appearance.

Admitting he had received death threats from Robinson’s supporters, Akunjee said the EDL founder’s involvement had made the situation “much more dangerous”.

“Stirring up bad feelings from the right wing toward a child is very scary for the child and the family involved,” he said.

The news comes as it was revealed that the number of pupils being excluded for racial bullying has risen.

Analysis by The Guardian showed that there were 4,590 cases of racial abuse among school students last year which warranted fixed or permanent exclusion, an increase from 2016, with 4,085 incidents.

Figures released by charity Childline last year revealed there had been more than 2,500 counselling sessions in the last three years about racial and faith-based bullying.

A variety of minority children, including those from a Muslim, Black and Sikh background, were among those who have contacted the helpline about the issue.

Commenting on the latest racial bullying figures, Akunjee said there was a “definite societal problem across the board in terms of a general rise of intolerance”.

“There has been a huge increase in hate crime in one year,” he added, referring to the latest Home Office statistics which showed there were 94,098 hate crime offences recorded

by police in England and Wales, 76 per cent of which were racially aggravated.

Chris Keates, the general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said the “disturbing” rise of exclusions related to racial bullying showed these instances have become a “daily fact of life for far too many black and minority ethnic pupils and teachers”.

In response to the attack on Jamal, the home secretary Sajid Javid revealed he was also bullied due to his Asian heritage while at school and “punched to the ground”.

“When I was 11 at comprehensive school, I had a very similar incident and those memories flooded back to me,” he said.

Admitting that racist language was directed at him during his school years, Javid said he was surprised the UK had not moved forward.

“I really felt for the young boy who was involved [in the video],” he added.

More For You

Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Barnaby Rogerson in conversation with Anthony Sattin (L) on day 2 of Voices of Faith

Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Mahesh Liloriya

The second day of Voices of Faith unfolded with an enchanting blend of music, philosophy, and intellectual exploration at the Barbican Centre, London. This inaugural festival, curated by Teamwork Arts—the force behind the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London—has been made possible by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners, amplifying the festival’s reach and resonance.

Session 1- Echoes of eternity: The timeless notes of Kabir

Keep ReadingShow less
starmer-immigration

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

UK returns 24,000 illegal migrants since July, highest in eight years

THE UK government has returned over 24,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the country since July, marking the highest rate of removals in eight years, prime minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

Baroness Patricia Scotland speaks at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London (Photo: The Ismaili National Council for the United Kingdom)

'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

THE outgoing head of the Commonwealth has paid tribute to the late Prince Karim Aga Khan, describing him as a visionary leader whose lifelong dedication to service, peace, and pluralism has left a lasting impact on the world.

Speaking at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London last Wednesday (26), Baroness Patricia Scotland, who steps down as Commonwealth secretary general on 1 April, reflected on her personal connection with the Aga Khan, recalling their meetings during Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Myanmar-quake-rescue-Reuters

Rescuers carry the body of a victim during search and rescue operations, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 30. (Photo: Reuters)

Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 1,700, UK pledges £10m in aid

RESCUE efforts continued in Myanmar as residents searched for survivors in collapsed buildings in Mandalay, two days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country. The disaster has killed at least 1,700 people in Myanmar and 17 in neighbouring Thailand.

The quake hit near Mandalay on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The tremors caused widespread destruction, damaging buildings, bridges, and roads in the city of more than 1.7 million people.

Keep ReadingShow less