Bullying is a pitiful and despicable situation many Muslim students across world unfortunately go through. It is real, it is ugly, and it is happening way more often than one might think.

Bullying in a Scotland high school went beyond a usual psychological effect, with a 14-year-old Muslim schoolboy died as a result of ‘being put in a chokehold’ in a playground incident, according to his family.

Hamdan Khaliq died in hospital on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after emergency services were called to St Kentigern’s Academy in West Lothian, Edinburgh Evening News reported.

📚 Read Also: ‘Don’t Suffer Alone’: Chicago Muslims Launch Anti-Bullying Hotline

The school said police were called to deal with an “isolated incident”. However, Hamdan’s family said his death was part of an ongoing issue at the academy.

His heartbroken cousin Sana Khaliq said the youngster had lost his life “during break time” and “suffered a horrible death whilst many stood around and watched”, denying rumors he was taking part in a TikTok trend.

“I’m sorry but wherever this [rumor] has come from needs checked as an incident occurred with him yesterday around a fight which we believe has continued to today resulting in the loss of life,” she said.

“Put in a Chockhold”

Another relative, Zain Mohammed, echoed the family’s concerns and said Hamdan had been “put in a chokehold” by “a boy who’s been bullying him”.

“The worst thing about it is that it’s being passed off as a game they were playing called tap out. This wasn’t the case. He was being singled out and bullied for being different,” he added.

The school’s headteacher Andrew Sharkey released a statement, saying everyone at the school was devastated.

He said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and we extend our deepest condolences and offers of support.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.”

According to a 2020 survey by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, 51 percent of Muslim families reported that their child had been bullied because of their faith. And 56 percent of Muslim students feel unsafe, unwelcome, or uncomfortable in school.