The father of a man stabbed to death in Barking has spoken of his pride after opening a school in his son’s name.
Abdullah Ozcan’s 19-year-old son Hasan was fatally stabbed in Abbey Road near the Gascoigne Estate on February 3 last year.
Hasan’s mum Emine joined Mr Ozcan to launch a weekend Turkish language school in memory of their son on Saturday at Gascoigne Primary School in Gascoigne Road, Barking.
Mr Ozcan said: “We wanted to do something nice in Hasan’s memory. The school will be good for children and the community.
“I’m so happy about this because it’s going to do good in my son’s name. Children will learn something and play together.
“Families will come together there.”
At a public meeting during the month of the attack, Hasan’s family called for unity among the community on the Gascoigne Estate.
A keen university student, Hasan was studying criminology before he was attacked near a football pitch. He had been a pupil at Sydney Russell School in Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham and Roding Primary School before that.
“His schools were very good for Hasan,” Mr Ozcan said.
About 100 guests were at the grand opening of the Hasan Ozcan Weekend School including councillors and members of Barking and Dagenham’s Turkish community.
The school was set up after the council approached Hasan’s parents following his death to ask how they could help.
“I said we would like Hasan remembered with a school,” Mr Ozcan said.
Mr Ozcan said that the Turkish government had also leant its support by providing teachers with Gascoigne Primary agreeing to let them work out of the school.
“Thank you very much to all the people involved,” Mr Ozcan said.
He added that any youngsters could attend the weekend classes which begin this week.
Kareem Lashley-Weekes, 21, and a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, were charged with murder and violent disorder last November.
Kamaal Modest, 22, and Jonathon Efionayi, 21, are charged with violent disorder. They are due to appear at the Old Bailey on April 29.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here