A fundraiser to support Jamal, a 15-year-old Syrian refugee who was “waterboarded” by a bully in school, has raised more than £119,000 ($152,000) in just one night.
The online campaign was set up after a video of the racist attack at Huddersfield’s Almondbury Community School went viral.
The video of the attack on October 25 purportedly shows Jamal, who already had one arm in a cast, being slammed to the ground in the school during a chokehold by another boy, who then says, “I’ll drown you” while forcing water into Jamal’s mouth in a waterboarding style.
The 16-year-old bully has been charged with assault and will appear at Youth Court, according to West Workshire Police.
“Jamal's family are refugees in the UK and they struggle to meet the basic necessities of life,” read the fundraiser. “We want to raise money for the family to ease their situation and hopefully they can use the funds to help improve their quality of life and to put a smile on their faces.”
Apparently Jamal is not the only victim of racism-inspired bullying as his sister has also been subjected to cruel behavior at school.
“To the point where his little sister has broken the lenses in her glasses and attempted to cut her own wrists in school toilets,” wrote Mohammed Tahir, the community organizer behind the fundraiser wrote.
The fundraiser initially planned to raise a total of £150,000 for Jamal and his family but Tahir said he was going to increase the goal and raise as much money as he could.
“Having left a war torn country, the least they deserve is to live in peace without being harassed,” he added.
MPs join outpouring of support
Tory bigwig Tobias Ellwood was one of the Members of Parliament (MPs) who voiced support for Jamal after the incident.
“Absolute disgrace – Please retweet. This bully, his parents, the school where this occurs and the onlookers who fail to step in, all have big questions to answer,” he wrote on twitter.
“To the Syrian refugee – I say sorry. It’s not the welcoming, friendly Britain we are supposed to be,” he added.
Kirklees Council said: “Neither us nor the school condone violence in any form and behaviour like this will not be tolerated.”
Barry Sheerman, MP for the town, said he had been supporting the boy and his family.
Presenter Jeremy Vine also expressed support.
“I'm trying to resist naming the bully in this film. More important, is it possible to do anything for the victim? A Syrian refugee who already had a broken wrist, apparently from a similar attack. Heartbreaking.”
BBC presenter Jake Humphrey also called for “love” for Jamal and offered to pay for an all-expenses paid trip to his favorite football team.
Renowned MMA coach offers free fight training to Jamal
John Kvanagh, the coach of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star Conor McGregor, said in a tweet on Wednesday that he was willing to give him a lifetime free membership at Straight Blast Gym (SBG), his MMA academy in Ireland.
“Kid seems to be in Huddersfield. I’m sure a few boxing lessons with the famous #ButlinBrothers @BigAndyButlin would be great to boost for his confidence. He’s free membership for life at @SBG_Ireland anyway if he can ever make it,” he said.