Amir Khan calls on fellow Brit Muslims to 'stand tall' and 'speak out' against terrorism

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ANI London
Last Updated : Jan 23 2015 | 5:20 PM IST

British two-time world champion boxer Amir Khan has called on fellow Muslims living in the United Kingdom to stand tall and speak out against terrorism.

Khan, who recently visited the scene of Peshawar massacre in Pakistan, where Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists massacred 141 people in a school, including 132 children, said that there is a time to hide behind a rock and a time to stand in the tall grass.

Khan claimed that with what terrorists are doing to the image of Islam and to the image of Muslims, there is a time to stand up and speak out, the Daily Star reported.

The fighter was so determined to take action that he flew out to Pakistan despite his advisors begging him not to go. Khan claimed that he felt a responsibility to the traumatized kids who saw 132 of their classmates die at the hands of the Taliban.

The boxer added that he has got a daughter himself now, claiming that he went because he wanted to tell those kids they needed to overcome fear and get back to school. He insisted that that is how one makes something of their life, adding that they cannot let terrorists win.

The Bolton-born sportsman, whose family originates from Pakistan, admitted the trip was a truly horrific experience, revealing that the hardest part was meeting up with the families of two children who were gunned down in the attack on December 16.

Khan said that he doesn't get scared easily, as he fights for a living, but added that seeing blood and bullet holes in the walls it's not an easy thing to see without feeling a chill in ones heart, but added that these kids are so brave.

Khan claimed that there are kids in Pakistan who know they risk death just by trying to get an education, but added that they still head off to school with their satchels.

As a Pakistani Brit, he has an African-American trainer, a white British personal assistant and a mix of white and Asian staff. He added that he wants people to see what's possible.

Khan claimed that he gets Jewish, Muslim and white Brits at his fights, adding that he wants people to know that one can be Muslim and British and succeed and not get into negativity.

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First Published: Jan 23 2015 | 5:07 PM IST