Jalal Uddin: Former students raise thousands for family of 'murdered' Rochdale Imam

The page’s initial target was £3,000 which would go towards the funeral costs and supporting Mr Uddin’s family, but already it is more than £11,000

Jalal Uddin, 64, died after being found with head injuries in a children's hospital (Manchester Evening News)

A fundraising page to help the family of an imam who was killed in Rochdale has raised more than £10,000 in just three days.

Jalal Uddin was found in a park on Thursday with severe injuries to his head. He later died in hospital.

The crowd funding page was set up by Mirza Sadiqul Zamal, once a student of 64-year-old Mr Uddin and a close friend.

The page’s initial target was £3,000. which was to go towards the funeral costs and supporting Mr Uddin’s family in Bangladesh, for whom he was the only financial provider.

Mr Zamal said: “He was a great teacher and Imam. Not a single soul can utter a bad word about him.

“He was my teacher and one of my closest friends. He has taught me many, many things but more importantly he has shown me his teaching with his behaviour and character on a daily basis.”

So far, the page has reached more than £11,000 in donations.

Comments on the page read congratulated Mr Zamal for setting up the page, as well as paying tribute to Mr Uddin.

Mr Uddinwas the former imam of the Jalalia Jaame Mosque (Michael Ely/Creative Commons)

Kaiyum Ar Raheem said: “He was one of the best individuals in the senior category in Rochdale. He will truly will be missed.”

Mr Uddin had been walking home from a friend’s house on South Street the night he died, having attended evening prayers at the Bilal Jamia Mosque in Bulwer Street earlier that night.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on Friday in connection with the case, but he has since been released without charge.

Two more men, aged 21 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday. They remain in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Crompton of GMP’s Serious Crime Division said: “Our investigation is continuing at a quick pace and we have carried out a significant number of enquiries.”

Anyone with any information should contact the GMP’s Major Incident Team on 01618 564711 or the independent Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.