IHRC has written an open letter to Dr. Temel Kotil and Hamdi Topçu, President and Chairman of Turkish Airlines, urging them to encourage Manchester United to commemorate the death of Sayyed Ahmad Saeed Shams with a one minute silence before kick off against Chelsea on 8th May at Old Trafford[1][2].

On 30th March, Ahmad had been playing football, wearing a Manchester United jersey, outside his home in the village of Sa’ar, Bahrain, when security forces shot the fifteen year old in the head.

Massoud Shadjareh, Chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said:

“The cruel circumstances of Ahmad’s death require that efforts are made by Turkish Airlines to remind the club of its obligation to its young supporters. With Turkish Airline’s financial responsibility to the club comes an ethical and moral obligation to make sure Manchester United fulfils its promise of inspiring young children to build a better life for themselves, regardless of their religious or national background.”

For more information please contact the Press Office of the IHRC at (+44) 20 8904 4222, or via email at sasan@ihrc.org. Alternatively, you can call (+44)7903053362.
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Notes to Editors:
1 Open letter to Temel Kotil.
2 Open letter to Hamdi Topçu.
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Full Text of Open Letter(s) follows:

Dr. Temel Kotil,
President and CEO of Turkish Airlines,
Turkish Airlines General Management Building,
Ataturk Airport,
Yesilkoy,
Istanbul, 34149,
Turkey.

Dear Dr. Kotil,

Re: One minute silence before the Chelsea match to remember Ahmad.

Sayyed Ahmad Saeed Shams, a fifteen year old boy, was playing football wearing a Manchester United jersey when he was shot dead by Bahraini security forces on 30th March 2011. This killing took place outside his home in the village of Sa’ar, Bahrain.

I am sure that you will be outraged that any security force would kill a boy who was simply playing football outside his home in a Manchester United jersey. This tragic killing is indicative of the violent suppression that the Bahraini government has sunk to in order to deny its citizens basic rights. Here this is further evidenced by the fact that it has not acknowledged the brutality of its actions to the extent that it does not even feel the need to begin an inquiry to bring the perpetrators to justice. I am sure that you will agree that there can be no excuse for a boy who is playing football outside his home to be killed.

Manchester United has a global following and the image of this boy lying dead in a Manchester United jersey has been flashed around the world. This has created an expectation of a response from Manchester United which I am articulating directly to you. It is well known that Manchester United has in the past carried out its civic duty appropriately by acknowledging those of its fans that have died in tragic circumstances. Today we, at the Islamic Human Rights Commission, appeal to this sense of duty and social conscience to give respect to this fan of Manchester United who has died in such tragic circumstances. It will give the family of this boy some comfort that there are people out there who will remember their son through the bond of football and a common humanity.

As the CEO and President of the club’s sponsor, Turkish Airlines, I ask you to use your influence to encourage Manchester United to honour the pledge of the Manchester United Foundation to “inspire young people to build a better life for themselves”, and ensure the development of the youth – which would include creating an environment where children like Sayyed Ahmad Saeed Shams are able to realise their potential. In this regard I ask you to request that a one minute silence is held before the home match against Chelsea on Sunday 8th May 2011, and that this match is dedicated to the memory of Sayyed Ahmad Saeed Shams. This would mark the fortieth day after Ahmad’s tragic death. The use of this influence by yourself will enhance the international image of this airline as one which cares for children irrespective of where they live in the world and what religion they choose to follow.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and we look forward to a positive response on this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Massoud Shadjareh
Chair of Islamic Human Rights Commission.

Mr Hamdi Topçu,
Chairman of Turkish Airlines,
Turkish Airlines General Management Building,
Ataturk Airport,
Yesilkoy,
Istanbul, 34149,
Turkey.

Dear Mr Topçu,

Re: One minute silence before the Chelsea match to remember Ahmad.

Sayyed Ahmad Saeed Shams, a fifteen year old boy, was playing football wearing a Manchester United jersey when he was shot dead by Bahraini security forces on 30th March 2011. This killing took place outside his home in the village of Sa’ar, Bahrain.

I am sure that you will be outraged that any security force would kill a boy who was simply playing football outside his home in a Manchester United jersey. This tragic killing is indicative of the violent suppression that the Bahraini government has sunk to in order to deny its citizens basic rights. Here this is further evidenced by the fact that it has not acknowledged the brutality of its actions to the extent that it does not even feel the need to begin an inquiry to bring the perpetrators to justice. I am sure that you will agree that there can be no excuse for a boy who is playing football outside his home to be killed.

Manchester United has a global following and the image of this boy lying dead in a Manchester United jersey has been flashed around the world. This has created an expectation of a response from Manchester United which I am articulating directly to you. It is well known that Manchester United has in the past carried out its civic duty appropriately by acknowledging those of its fans that have died in tragic circumstances. Today we, at the Islamic Human Rights Commission, appeal to this sense of duty and social conscience to give respect to this fan of Manchester United who has died in such tragic circumstances. It will give the family of this boy some comfort that there are people out there who will remember their son through the bond of football and a common humanity.

As the Chairman of the club’s sponsor, Turkish Airlines, I ask you to use your influence to encourage Manchester United to honour the pledge of the Manchester United Foundation to “inspire young people to build a better life for themselves”, and ensure the development of the youth – which would include creating an environment where children like Ahmad are able to realise their potential.

In this regard I ask you to request that Manchester United hold a one minute silence before the home match against Chelsea on Sunday 8th May 2011, and that this match is dedicated to the memory of Ahmad. This would mark the fortieth day after Ahmad’s tragic death. The use of this influence by yourself will enhance the international image of this club as one which cares for children irrespective of where they live in the world and what religion they choose to follow.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and we look forward to a positive response on this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Massoud Shadjareh
Chair of Islamic Human Rights Commission.[ENDS]
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