Calm urged after imam dies from head injuries

The imam of a mosque has died after being found with serious head injuries while on his way home from evening prayers.

The victim, named locally as Jalal Uddin, a religious leader in Rochdale, was found critically injured in a children’s play area on South St in the Wardleworth area of the town on Thursday night.

Locals say he had been to evening prayers at a mosque before visiting a friend. It is believed he was taking a short cut through the playground on his way home, after eating dinner at a friend’s house.