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#JusticeForAzzam: No Closure For Muslim Killed At Knifepoint

Family of Azzam Ragurai is requesting a re-trial after justice had not been met.

Azzam Raguragui was only 18 years old when his life was taken away from him, during the holy month of Ramadan. A young man, with his whole life ahead of him.

A fight had broken out in Finsbury Park, Dublin, Ireland over a stolen bike, in May 2019. Azzam was chased down and stabbed 5 times in broad daylight – he suffered fatal wounds to a major artery and eventually died of severe blood loss.

On September 18th 2020 – after deliberating for 13 hours and 17 minutes over three days, the jury returned a majority 10-2 verdict of not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

The defendant in the trial was found not guilty of murder despite five stab wounds on Azzam’s body according to the acting Chief State Pathologist. 

The trial heard the witness accounts of Azzam’s attempts to run away from the gang and that the intention to inflict harm on him was clearly premeditated, evidenced by the possession of a weapon. The trial heard the cause of death; one of the wounds severed an artery and caused massive blood loss which led to his death. 

The trial also heard witness accounts of Azzam’s warm personality. He was a young boy who was caring and respectful of his parents, an obligation which holds the utmost importance in Islam. The trial also heard of his contributions to the Muslim community, and to his friends and family. 

Currently, people can get a maximum sentence of five years and/or a fine for carrying a knife intended to incapacitate or injure another person under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019. The verdict of the trial resulted in the accused receiving less than the 5-year sentence despite the knife crime resulting in a death.

His family, friends and wider Muslim community are devastated. This provides no closure or justice for Azzam or his family. Azzam’s mother, Hajiba, upon hearing the verdict of the trial stated: “They killed me twice. First when they stabbed my son and now with this unfair verdict.”

Azzam and his family deserve justice. The defendant must be prosecuted accordingly.

Please show your support by signing the petition here. 

 

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UK Police Aggressively Drag Muslim Father From His Dying Daughter’s Hospital Bed

Disturbing footage filmed in September 2019 of police officers mistreating the mother and father of a young patient, after they refused to leave their severely ill child, was recently obtained by the Mail.

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UK Police Aggressively Drag Muslim Father From His Dying Daughter’s Hospital Bed

Disturbing footage filmed in September 2019 of police officers mistreating the mother and father of a young patient, after they refused to leave their severely ill child, was recently obtained by the Mail.

By

Maryam Zaynah
Images from Dailymail

Zainab Abbasi, a six-year-old daughter of two former doctors, died in September 2019, days after her parents were mistreated at the hospital their daughter was being treated at. What happened? 

With Zainab’s condition worsening quickly, her parents panicked and asked to leave the room. Not long after they were asked to leave the room but refused to, a complaint was made because of Rashid Abbasi’s lack of cooperation. The police were called to the room, asking the couple to leave. The footage also shows Aliya Abbasi desperately begging a police officer to empathize with her situation. “Do you have children, police officer?” she asked.

The very upsetting footage shows a police officer violently removing Mr. Abbasi from the room, by holding his neck. They strapped his legs and ankles together and forcefully wheeled him away on a bed, as the 59-year-old man attempted to break free. A female police officer can be seen shouting at him in a condescending tone, “You’re acting like an animal it’s disgusting. Get him out of here.”

The video shows Mr. Abbasi repeatedly demanding they allow him to have his medicine as he had severe chest pains from the stress and intensity of the situation.

Later he was told he had suffered from a heart attack. The next day he underwent a heart procedure.

Meanwhile his wife Aliya was screaming at the scene before her, hopelessly urging the police to let go of her struggling husband who had become quite worked up. She was pulled by the back onto the hospital floor screaming, “They’re going to take the tube out of our daughter and she’s going to die.”

Mrs. Abbasi did admit that her husband can sometimes become animated and bad tempered, but that is only because of his health conditions and Zainab’s situation which he felt was not receiving enough attention and care. The couple were both former doctors and knew that enough wasn’t being done. She said, “Because we were both doctors we knew exactly what should be happening and we could point out when our daughter was being failed. If this could happen to us, what about other people?”

Despite this distressing experience they continued to try and save their daughter in any way possible, who had little time left to live. They pleaded for her to be given high doses of steroids which was again denied. The following morning she died, with her mother and father silently watching.

The loss of their young daughter has left the helpless parents traumatized and heartbroken. Mr Abbasi has now began proceedings to sue police for their behavior. A petition is going around which you can sign to help which can be found here.

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Muslim Woman Becomes Face Of UK’s National Healthcare System

Dr Farzana Hussain, a British Bangladeshi Muslim, has been recognized for her work as a General Practitioner (GP) in South London.

July 2020 marks 72 years of Britain’s free nationwide healthcare system, the NHS – and to celebrate the occasion, a Muslim doctor graces billboards up and down the country.

Dr Farzana Hussain, a British Bangladeshi Muslim, has been recognized for her work as a General Practitioner (GP) at a medical center in a deprived area of South London. The mother of two has, like medical staff worldwide, been on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Hussain is among twelve National Health Service staff who have been photographed especially for the anniversary by acclaimed British photographer Rankin, known for his portraits of Kate Moss, the Rolling Stones and even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

The NHS pictures can be seen across the country on billboards and in shopping centers, not to mention at the iconic Piccadilly Circus lights in central London – undoubtedly the most famous advertising spot in the UK.

Dr Hussain hasn’t let it go to her head. “It’s difficult to put into words how privileged I feel to be able to go to work every day and make a difference to people’s lives and to help battle this global pandemic.

Now more than ever, it’s important that we see the humanity that makes up our GP practices, community services and hospitals. Every member of staff has their own story, fears and hopes for the future. I think Rankin’s photography brings this out really well.”

You can read her full statement on the official NHS page.

This is a great achievement not just for the Muslim community, but also specifically Muslim women, the hijabi community, the Bengali community and the South Asian community. It is yet another proud moment for Muslims in the UK – earlier in the year a British key worker graced the cover of Vogue –  towards finally achieving the recognition British Muslims deserve. 

READ MORE: British Vogue’s Latest Cover Star Is A Black Hijabi Supermarket Assistant

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Man Arrested In Spain For Murder Of Aya Hachem After ‘Fleeing To Portugal’

Aya Hachem was shot and killed as she walked near Lidl Supermarket in Blackburn on May 17th.

Manchester Evening News reported that a 30-year-old man was arrested in Spain on suspicion of the murder of 19-year-old Aya Hachem on July 4.

The 30-year-old was arrested after a European Arrest Warrant was executed in the holiday resort of Fuengirola.

Prior to his arrest, the man first fled to Portugal using his brother’s passport, before hiding out on the Costa Del Sol with his girlfriend, Spanish police revealed.

Aya Hachem was shot and killed as she walked near Lidl Supermarket in Blackburn on May 17th.

The man is being held on suspicion of murder and the attempted murder of the man police believe was the target of the drive-by shooting that killed Hachem.

A spokesman for Spain’s National Police said on July 8 that, “Police have arrested a fugitive on foot of a European Arrest Warrant in Fuengirola.”

The spokesman added, “Further investigation led to the identification of the vehicle he was using, leading officers to trace the route he took through the South of Spain.”

The man is currently subject to the extradition process so he can be brought back to Lancashire and be charged with the offenses.

READ MORE: Two Men Charged With The Murder Of Aya Hachem

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Raffia Arshad Becomes The UK’s First Hijab-Wearing Judge

Her appointment makes her the first hijab-wearing barrister to be appointed judge in the UK’s history.

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Raffia Arshad Becomes The UK’s First Hijab-Wearing Judge

Her appointment makes her the first hijab-wearing barrister to be appointed judge in the UK’s history.

By

Wali Ahmad
Art - Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman

June 5, 2020 – Practicing barrister Raffia Arshad, 40 was appointed deputy district judge for the Midlands circuit in May 2020. Her appointment makes her the first hijab-wearing barrister to be appointed judge in the UK’s history.

“I don’t see it as a personal achievement, it is bigger than that” she said. “It’s a huge achievement for anyone from a diverse background.” She noted that her appointment is “important for all women, not just Muslim women, but it is particularly important for Muslim women.” 

Speaking about the intersection of her faith and profession, Judge Arshad stated the importance of acceptance: “I decided that I was going to wear my headscarf because, for me, it’s so important to accept the person for who they are, and if I had to become a different person to pursue my profession, it’s not something I wanted.” 

In 2001,  despite concerns from a relative regarding her decision to wear her hijab for a law school scholarship interview, she succeeded in getting into the  a at Inns of Court School of Law. The mother of three later began practicing law from St. Mary’s Family Law Chambers, where she has worked as a barrister for the last 15 years. In addition to authoring a leading text on Islamic family law, her work primarily revolved around children’s law, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and other cases with specific Islamic law issues.

Her journey through law, however, was not without prejudice and discrimination, “sometimes on a daily basis.” She recounts an experience entering a courtroom as a barrister, where she was greeted by an usher who was unsure of who she was. “Are you a client?” “No I’m not.” “You must be an interpreter?” “No I’m not.” “Are you here on work experience?” “No, I’m actually the barrister.”

She told Metro news: “I have nothing against the usher who said that, but it reflects that as a society, even for somebody who works in the courts, there is still this prejudicial view that professionals at the top end don’t look like me.” 

She highlights that diversity in the legal profession is continuing to grow, but not blindly. “The judicial offices are doing their utmost to promote diversity, and at the time they appointed me they didn’t know I was going to be one of the few hijab-wearing judges out there. I’ve been appointed on merit, not because I wear a hijab.” 

Vickie Hodges and Judy Claxton, joint heads of St Mary’s Family Law Chambers said of Raffia: “[She] has led the way for Muslim women to succeed in the law and at the Bar and has worked tirelessly to promote equality and diversity in the profession.” 

In England and Wales, diversity within courts and tribunals remains scarce but is growing. A study published in July 2019 – which accounted for approximately 90% of judges and non-legal tribunal members in the region – showed that only 7% of court judges, 11% of tribunal judges and 17% of non-legal members of tribunals were of Black, Asian or minority ethnicity. This was only a 2% increase since 2014. 

Arshad agreed  that she has “broken a stereotypical image of a judge. Don’t worry about what you look like, don’t worry about not fitting into the mould, break that mould and achieve what you need to.”

Congratulations on your appointment, Judge Raffia Arshad – may you continue to be a stellar example for young Muslim professionals and dreamers around the world.

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Young Muslim Woman Killed In Drive-By Shooting In The UK

19-year-old Aya Hachem was shopping when she was shot and killed in Blackburn, UK.

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Young Muslim Woman Killed In Drive-By Shooting In The UK

19-year-old Aya Hachem was shopping when she was shot and killed in Blackburn, UK.

By

Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh
Photos (From Left to Right) - Ben Lack, Aya's Family

 

UPDATE (May 19, 2020) – Three men were arrested in connection to the killing of Aya Hachem. Police believe that Aya was not the intended target of the attack, and is continuing the investigation further.

A 19-year-old Muslim woman was gunned down in a suspected drive-by shooting in Blackburn, UK as she was walking home from grocery shopping. The Lebanese-British victim was later identified as Aya Hachem on social media.

The suspect shot Hachem from a green Toyota Avensis and fled the scene. The vehicle was later found by law enforcement a mile away from the shooting. 

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Holmes, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said:  “An investigation has been launched and we are determined to find those responsible – and we are asking for the public’s help identifying the offender or offenders.”

Incidents as such is not unfamiliar for Muslim women, especially those who wear the hijab headscarf. On June 18, 2017, 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen was followed, killed and raped by a man during the month of Ramadan in the United States. 

According to a study by the Home Office, which was published on The Guardian, almost half of religious hate crime offenses in the United Kingdom were of Muslims. 

“This is a truly shocking and senseless killing, which has robbed a young woman of her life.”

As the search continues, Twitter users make #RIPAYA trends online in hopes to bring attention to this situation, as mainstream media has not reported on this incident.

Inna illahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. May the victim and her family find justice.

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