Tormented Syrian boy backed by protesters at school
A SYRIAN refugee who was “waterboarded” in a school bullying attack turned up at the scene of a protest outside his school yesterday.
Jamal, 15, said “Thanks to everyone” as he arrived at Almondbury community school, in Huddersfield, to be greeted by 30 members of the public.
The youngster, who was head-butted and had water squirted in his face during the attack, smiled as he was accompanied by his father.
He was surrounded by protesters showing support for his family in the wake of the horrific assault last month, which was captured on mobile phone footage.
It is the first time Jamal has been seen in public after his lawyer Mohammed Akunjee said he had “no problem” with the boy’s picture being published.
The boy previously said: “I don’t feel safe at school. I was disappointed when I came to the UK because I was thinking my life is going to be good, my future is going to be really good if I study at school. And I didn’t achieve any of that.”
Mr Akunjee also said he is considering taking legal action on the family’s behalf against Tommy Robinson after the former English Defence League leader wrongly linked Jamal to an attack on a schoolgirl.
Mr Akunjee said: “This has just added to the terrible situation Jamal is in.”
An online fundraising appeal has so far raised more than £140,000 in donations, which Jamal’s family say they will use to move to another area.
The boy, who escaped war-torn Syria with his parents and sister, has suffered two years of bullying since they arrived in Huddersfield. Later it emerged Jamal’s sister had her headscarf ripped off in a playground attack.