Photographs Of The Two 17-Year-Olds Have Been Issued By Their Families
The families of two “ordinary Yorkshire lads” feared to have left the UK for Syria have issued photographs of the teenagers.
Hassan Munshi and Talha Asmal, from Dewsbury, flew from Manchester to Turkey on 31 March and are believed to have done so in order to join Islamic State.
A statement on behalf of the two 17-year-old boys’ “devastated” families has been released.
The boys’ families said via the statement: “Our number one priority is to get Hassan and Talha back home with their families and we implore anyone who may have any information whatsoever to get in contact with the police.
“Naturally, we are in a state of profound shock and are trying to come to terms with the predicament we find ourselves in and we hope and pray that no other family finds itself in our situation.
“These were just two ordinary Yorkshire lads who enjoyed the things that all young people enjoy at their age – both Hassan and Talha had a promising future, as an apprentice and an A-level student respectively, and we are praying they will be back with us soon and are able to realise that future.”
Farooq Yunus, from Zakaria Mosque based in Savile Town, Dewsbury, has criticised the “whole system”, including the council and the community, for having failed the boys.
He said: “I think we have failed. Not just the people in here… the council, the police, the community.”
The disappearance is being investigated by West Yorkshire Police.
