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Unemployed Asian serves as a beacon in troubled Bradford

Shyam Bhatia
India Abroad Correspondent in London

An unemployed British Asian who offered his home as sanctuary to terrified white neighbours has become an overnight hero in the riot-torn city of Bradford.

Tariq Mahmood, 29, is being held up as a shining example of the community spirit that rioters failed to destroy.

He and his pregnant wife, 26-year-old Jinett, gave up their bed for a frightened pensioner and personally looked after six others by making them tea and snacks as racial battles raged outside their home in Manningham, a suburb of Bradford.

Nora Stanton, 73, who spent the night in the Mahmoods' bed, said, "I have never seen so many people in my life. They hijacked a car outside my house and burned it. The area outside my house was wrecked; all the old people round here were totally terrified.

"Tariq was a real hero. He is a good lad and really helped us all. He rounded up seven elderly residents and took us to the safety of his flat. I didn't sleep a wink and just sat around praying -- but it was good to know someone was looking after us."

Mahmood, a father of two, said, "My wife is due to give birth in two weeks' time, but she gave up her bed for one of the old ladies and slept on the couch.

"She prepared food and tea and made the old people feel at home.

"I might be Asian, but I care about the elderly, no matter if they are black, white or brown.

"It was like a nursing home here even though it is only a two-bedroom flat. At least the old people knew they were safe."

The UK Race Riots: The complete coverage

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