Play Dedicated to Memory of Zahid Mubarek

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, took part in a panel discussion at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East least week, following a performance of the play, Gladiator Games.

Gladiator Games is a dramatisation of the events surrounding the death of Zahid Mubarek in Feltham Young Offenders Institution in March 2000, and is dedicated to his memory. Zahid, who was from Walthamstow, was murdered by his cellmate, who had a history of racist views and violence.

“This was a very powerful drama which showed the horror of what happened to Zahid Mubarek” said Mr Gerrard. “It drew on evidence given to the public inquiry into his death, which should be reporting soon, and on interviews with some of those most closely involved in the demands for the inquiry, including Zahid’s family.”

“The discussion with members of the audience showed the shock people felt at what had happened, in how Zahid came to be in Feltham in the first place, and the failures in the prison system which lead to his murder. The fact that prison should be a place where young people, especially, can be helped to rehabilitate, and should be safe, was remarked upon.”

“I am now awaiting with interest the report of the public inquiry, which I believe has the potential to have the same impact on the prison service that the Lawrence inquiry had on policing.”

Nov 2005

Home Page     |     News & Views     |     Press Archive