A Birmingham father, who lost his son in the August riots, has received an award for the dignity and peace he showed after the tragedy.
Tariq Jahan gained the “special recognition” award at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain awards inLondon.
Organisers of the ceremony told reporters, “Grieving father Tariq Jahan came to personify the indomitable spirit of the vast majority of the British people when he made a remarkable plea for calm after his son was killed in the violence.
“Police said his intervention helped prevent a tinderbox situation igniting into yet more violence.”
The van driver’s 21 year old son Haroon was one of the men who were run over by a car while trying to protect their community from the rioters in Winston Green.
Mr Jahan had been trying to revive brothers Shazad Ali, 30 and 31 year old Abdul Musavir, when he realised that the third victim was his son.
Horrified by the find, the 45 year old have him CPR, but it was not enough to save him.
Hours after his son’s death, Mr Jahan stood outside his home in front of TV cameras and urged his community to remain calm.
He said: “Blacks, Asians, whites – we all live in the same community. Why are we doing this? Step forward if you want to lose your sons. Otherwise calm down and go home … please.”
