Jalal Uddin, from Bangladesh, found with head injury in playground after attending prayers at mosque

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A 31 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of an imam who was found with a fatal head injury in Rochdale.

Jalal Uddin, 56, originally from Bangladesh, was found injured in a children’s playground on Thursday night.

Paramedics and police attended the scene, but Uddin died in hospital.

It is understood he had been to evening prayers at the Jalali Jame mosque in Trafalgar Street before visiting a friend for dinner, and that he was taking a shortcut through the playground on his way home.

Uddin left the friend’s house on South Street at about 8.40pm and was found by passersby with a severe head injury in the playground shortly before 9pm. A postmortem was due to take place on Friday.

Det Supt Jon Chadwick of GMP’s serious crime division said: “A man has sadly died after being found injured by passing members of the public, and we are now doing all we can to try and identify who he is, so that we can speak with and support this man’s family.

“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.”

Police have stepped up patrols in the area.

A statement on the mosque’s website said: “It is with deep sadness we inform you that our dear Qari Jalal Uddin Saab passed away last night. The cause of his death is yet to be confirmed. We recommend that you do not speculate but rather wait for the facts to be established by the police.”

The chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, Mohammed Shafiq, said he was shocked at the news but urged the community of Rochdale to stay united and calm.

“We pay tribute to him and his unique contribution to our community in Rochdale,” Shafiq said. “We offer our sincere condolences and prayers to his family, friends and the wider community.

“We would urge all local mosques in Rochdale to consider emergency security precautions and facilities to help local people return home safely from the mosque. Furthermore mosques should also consider buddying various people together to ensure vulnerable people are supported.”