Usamah, 14yr old silat student gets awarded for his Bravery

Usamah in serious training at Gelanggang in Skaapkraal

Usamah Samuels, a 14 yr old grade 7 learner at the Hyde Park College has been awarded for bravery at his school awards ceremonyand graduation dinner  on Tuesday, 26th November 2013. Usamah is described by his parents and teachers as a gentleman, with good manners and character. 

On his way to school on thursday morning, 21st November 2013, Usamah and his younger brother Mishal were confronted by an african man. The man asked them to hand over their schoolbags, to which Usamah said no. This caused the man to become aggressive, and once more insisted that they hand over the bags, or else. 

The man then takes out his knife and threatens to hurt the young boys. Usamah then instructs Mishal to run to school, while he sorts the matter out. Without hesitation, Usamah grabs the mans arm and applies an arm lock which he just learnt the week before at his silat lesson. 

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The attacker was quickly subdued, which allowed Usamah to grab hold of the weapon and disarm the guy. According to the 14 year old pesilat (silat practitioner), he thinks he broke the attackers arm due to the aggressive arm lock, as he heard the joint pop. The attacker quickly fled the scene which gave Usamah the freedom to attend school. The knife was handed to the principals office, and Usamah quickly gained popularity amongst the schoolkids. He is also a grade 7 learner and school prefect. 

His parents remarked that had he not been trained in Silat, he possibly would have given in to the attacker, and suffer an asthma attack. They believe that silat has boosted his confidence and given him the necessary life skills of self defense. During silat training, the students are always reminded never to believe that they are powerful, but only possess the power which the Almighty Allah has given them. And if you get hurt, it is only through the will of Allah and serves as a test. Allah is All Powerful over all things, and He will never test us with something which we cannot handle. 

Usamah and Mishal trains at the gelanggang (training facility) in Skaapkraal as well as the Rondevlei Islamic society in Mitchels Plain. Classes are open to youth from 7yrs and up. check out the training venues page