Man, 21, charged with murdering imam in children's playground as he walked home through Rochdale after prayers
- Jalal Uddin was beaten in a children's playground in Rochdale last week
- The former imam was taken to hospital but died a short time later
- Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, has been charged with Mr Uddin's murder
- A post-mortem found the 64-year-old former imam died of head injuries
Detectives investigating the killing of an imam on his way home from a mosque have charged a man with his murder.
Jalal Uddin was found with head injuries in a children's play area in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, after being attacked on February 18.
The 64-year-old was taken to hospital but died a short time later.
Former Imam Jalal Uddin, pictured, died after being found with serious head injuries in a Rochdale playground
Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, of Ramsay Street, Rochdale, has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder, Greater Manchester Police said.
He will appear at Bury Magistrates Court on Monday.
A 17-year-old boy previously arrested on suspicion of murder is on bail until April 20.
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Police were called by paramedics to the play area at the end of South Street in the Wardleworth area of the town, following reports that a man had been found injured.
Mr Uddin was taken to hospital but died a short time later. A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded he died from a head injury.
A 31-year-old man arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder has now been released without charge and eliminated from police inquiries.
Local religious leaders have called for calm, asked police be allowed to do their work and for locals not to speculate what prompted the attack.
Mr Uddin was walking through the children's playground, pictured, when he was assaulted
Dr Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain said: 'We pay our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the community in Rochdale, for the loss of a man who played a significant role within the community and will be sorely missed.
'It is not the first time that an imam has been murdered whilst on the way home from mosque, and we would urge the community to be vigilant and offer support and assistance whilst travelling.'
Anyone with information should please contact officers at GMP's major incident team on 0161 856 4711 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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