Murdered teenager's brother proves his smile's a winner (From This Is Local London)

Murdered teenager's brother proves his smile's a winner

4:46pm Monday 25th January 2010 in

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A MOVING call from the younger brother of a murdered Tottenham teenager to end violence on London's streets helped him sweep to victory at a public speaking competition.

With his heart on his sleeve, Abdulrahman Boudiaf spoke frankly about how his brother's death, less than a year ago, had ripped his family apart and the small steps they were taking to rebuild their lives.

The result was a mature and captivating performance from the Year 10 pupil that brought many in the audience to tears as he urged other young people to strive for peace and not revenge.

Entitled Smile, Abdulrahman opened his speech with an anecdote about the contagious nature of a smile, starting with a smile that is shared when girl-meets-boy.

He then teased that if the flirtation was caught by onlooker that person would smile, before adding: "But the same laws, the same physics, that apply to a smile, apply to a frown, or screwfaces, or evils — whatever you want to call them.

"A frown can be exchanged for an angry word. An angry word exchanged for a fist. A fist exchanged for a knife."

The comment was a reference to the rising trend of youth killings that arise from something as petty as looking at someone in the wrong way — such as the murder of Islington teenager Ben Kinsella.

The Gladesmore Community School pupil's brother, Karim Boudiaf, was just 18 when he was shot dead outside a pub in Lordship Lane, Tottenham, as he enjoyed a night out with friends.

The man on trial for his murder was cleared by a jury in December and, with no other suspects, no one has yet been brought to justice for the killing.

Abdulrahman, told the audience: "My house was in tatters. Not the windows. Not the doors. But the people inside it."

Suffocated by the grief, Abdulrahman said he asked himself what he could do to bring his family back together and simply decided to start smiling again. The small gesture, he said, caused his heartbroken mother to smile and, in turn, his father.

"Bit by but, we are becoming a normal family", he said.

On his victory, Abdulrahman, said: "I didn't actually believe they had called my name. It was hard to get up there, but if one person takes something from our story and it stops another family from suffering what we have, then I'm prepared to do it. It will be worth it."

His mother Ouahiba Boudiaf shed tears of pride as her son, Abdulrahman, celebrated his win last Thursday.

Mrs Boudiaf said: "I am so proud. He is a lovely boy. Everything he has said is true. He has the most wonderful smile. You cannot imagine how it helped us to see it."

Abdulrahman beat 12 of Haringey's best speakers who spoke passionately about issues including abortion, being black and Muslim, child abuse and even the benefits of taking an internet bride.

He is now now on a shortlist to represent Haringey in the national finals of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge, in July.

Shenell Lewis, of Greig City Academy, took second place for her rousing speech calling on young men in the inner city to make better choices instead of falling into a downward spiral of gang violence and crime.

In third place, was Ruairi McIlroy, of Alexandra Park, who warned young people about burying their head in the sand to avoid thinking about global warming.

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone handed out the certificates on the night and prizes including an iPod.

The Liberal Democrat said: "What a wonderful display of energy, enthusiasm and breathtaking talent - there's a lot of parliamentarians who could learn a thing or two from these young people. Well done to all who took part."

To watch Abdulrahman's speech, visit http://www.speakoutchallenge.com/pages/regionalfinalresults