Imam dies from head injuries, alleged attacker arrested
A former imam who was found with serious head injuries in a playground near Manchester has died, police confirmed.
Jalal Uddin, who formerly worked as an imam at Jalalia Jaame Mosque in Rochdale, was found after leaving a friend’s house on Thursday evening.
According to the Manchester Evening News, a 31-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder.
Uddin was cutting through a children’s playground after dinner at a friend’s house, and was discovered 20 minutes later by passers-by. He had earlier attended evening prayers at the Bilal Jamia Masjid Mosque.
Paramedics tended to his injuries but he later died.
Police initially sent out a plea for information from locals who may have witnessed the incident. It was announced later on Friday that a man had been arrested.
A post-mortem is due to take place on Friday.
Speaking on Friday morning, Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Crime Division said: “Our investigation is at an early stage but we are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area near to where he was found in Wardleworth last night, as we work to establish how this man came to suffer his head injury.”
Superintendent Rick Jackson added: “We know local people will be worried when they hear the news of what has happened and we have extra patrols in place to try and reassure the community.
“If you have concerns or believe you may have seen, heard or know anything that can assist this investigation then please approach one of these officers.
“There has been a lot of speculation on social media about what has happened, but I would to ask that people allow us to investigate this incident and if you have information, then please contact police.”
One member of the community, Farooq Ahmed, explained what he had seen.
“The passers-by tried to revive him, but sadly he lost his life. The police have cordoned the whole area off.
“The extent of the bleeding and the injuries that he had can’t have been from a fall. The whole community is shocked by what has happened.
“He was a quiet person. He didn’t interfere in anybody’s issues and he was respected. It’s a sad loss,” he said.
