Rochdale man charged with murder of imam Jalal Uddin

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/28/rochdale-man-charged-with-murder-imam-jalal-uddin

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A 21-year-old man has been charged with the murder of an imam who died on his way home from a mosque in Rochdale.

Jalal Uddin, 64, was found with serious head injuries in a children’s playground on 18 February. Paramedics and police attended the scene but Uddin died from his injuries in hospital shortly afterwards.

It is thought the imam was on his way home from dinner at a friend’s house after attending evening prayers at the Jalalia Jamé mosque in Trafalgar Street, where he was well known as a prayer leader, or qari.

Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, of Ramsay Street, Rochdale, was charged on Saturday with murder and conspiracy to commit murder and is due to appear at Bury magistrates court on Monday.

Investigating officers arrested Syeedy along with a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder shortly after 9.40am on Monday, also seizing a Vauxhall Astra. The 17-year-old is on bail until 20 April.

A 31-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after Uddin’s death but was later released without charge.

Greater Manchester police later issued a statement on its Facebook page saying the male had been completely eliminated from inquiries and had “no involvement whatsoever in the tragic death of the deceased”.

Uddin’s son, who did not wish to be named, paid tribute to his father, saying the family was “mortified that such a horrific attack took place with such an innocent and polite soul” and that they hoped the perpetrators were held to account.

“Jalal Uddin was a loved and integral part of the community,” he said in a statement released through police. “He was a soft-spoken, gentle soul who wouldn’t hesitate to help those in need. He was a simple man, but respected by all for his kind and caring nature.”

Uddin’s son said the imam’s death would be a great loss to the community. “With his extensive knowledge of Islam and his ability to share this knowledge, he captured the hearts of the old and the young, truly making a difference in people’s lives,” he said.

Uddin was the main provider for his family in Bangladesh and dedicated his life to his family’s wellbeing, his son said. “He was a loving father, husband, and grandfather who will be dearly missed by not only his wife, children and his young grandchildren, but by all who knew him.

“The events that transpired on that night were completely unexpected, and incredibly inhumane. Nobody should have to go through what Jalal did.”