London, Aug 11 (IANS) The father of a 21-year-old Asian-origin man, who was allegedly killed while trying to defend businesses from rioters, has urged those involved in the violence to "calm down and go home".


Haroon Jahan died alongside two other Asians after being hit by a car in Birmingham Wednesday. The two others were siblings Shezad Ali and Abdul Musavir.

"Last night we lost three cherished members of our community. They were taken from us in a way that no father, mother, sister or brother should have to endure. Today we stand here to plead with all the youth to remain calm (and) for our communities to stand united. This is not a race issue," Haroon's father Tariq was quoted as saying by Sky News Thursday.

"Blacks, Asians, whites - we all live in the same community. Why do we have to kill each other? I lost my son. Step forward if you want to lose your sons. Otherwise, calm down and go home," he said.

He called for more witnesses, and said people should have faith in the police.

Even as he spoke, some tension erupted and onlookers began shouting.

Jahan climbed onto a van and called for order. "Have some respect. I have lost a son. Don't kick off again," he said.

Jahan earlier said his son was "trying to help the community".

"I heard a thud, ran round and saw three people on the ground. My instinct was to help the three people. I did not know who they were, who had been injured. I helped the first man and somebody told me my son was lying behind me so I started CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) on my own son. My face was covered in blood, my hands were covered in blood," he said.