Faith healer stabbed to death at spiritual centre for black magic treatment in Whitechapel

A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder

A 'faith healer' has been stabbed to death in east London (Getty)

A "faith healer" has been stabbed to death in east London at a spiritual centre for treating black magic and demonic possession.

Police and paramedics attending the scene at 6.30pm on 14 September found the victim, identified in the Evening Standard as 46-year-old Zakariyya Islam, suffering from critical injuries at the Ruqya Therapy Centre’s base in Whitechapel.

Mr Islam, a married father-of-three, was pronounced dead at the scene a short while later.

A 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and was taken to hospital for treatment of a hand injury.

A Met Police spokesman confirmed the victim and suspect were known to each other.

Mr Islam was a co-founder of the centre, and had been treating people who believed they had been possessed by "Jinn" (spirits) and black magic for over a decade.

One of his three daughters told the Standard that the family was "in shock".

Scotland Yard has said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the killing. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.