Manchester United is the beloved English soccer team — very English, very mainstream. Yet somehow Syeedy’s work for the team didn’t overcome his love for the Islamic State. Those who are counting on Muslims to assimilate in the West and give up jihad should take note.
“Isis-supporting Manchester United steward murdered Rochdale imam for practicing ‘black magic,'” by Ewan Palmer, International Business Times, September 16, 2016:
An Islamic State supporter has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the murder of a Rochdale imam who was found beaten to death in a children’s playground. Mohammed Syeedy, 21, has been convicted of the religiously motivated murder of 71-year-old Jalal Uddin on 18 February.
Syeedy was accused of planning the murder of Uddin with his co-accused Mohammed Abdul Kadir, 24, as the imam practised a form of Islamic faith healing called “ruqya” which is considered “black magic” by IS (Isis/Daesh) and punishable by death.
Uddin was targeted for providing “taweez”, in which he made amulets to bring good fortune to the wearer. Such amulets can be worn by a person and can contain mathematical symbols and verses from the Quran.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney QC told the jury: “Amulets involve the magician writing a series of magic formulae on a piece of paper, folding or rolling it and then placing it in a small box or other receptacle.
“The person who has requested the taweez then keeps it with himself or herself at all times in order, for example, to guard against the evil spirit. Sometimes it is worn around the neck but often it is not because the wearer might otherwise attract criticism or attack. As a result, it is sometimes sown into clothing.”
Uddin, a former imam at the Jalalia Jaame Mosque in Trafalgar Street, Rochdale, was found with serious head injuries in a play area in Wardleworth following what is believed to be a hammer attack.
During the investigation, police uncovered a large amount of IS-related material at the homes of the defendants, including patches, flags and a headband with jihadist symbols. His phone also contained videos of his younger brother planting an alleged IS black flag outside Wardleworth Community Centre – close to where Uddin was killed and another video recording showing a friend in a local B&Q store stating: “Islamic State are coming to Oldham.”
Police also found video footage of Uddin lying dying on the ground following the beating, which is believed to have been filmed by a local Rochdale teenager.
Syeedy denied being a supporter of the extremist group and told the jury at Manchester Crown Court he was “disgusted” about the death of Bangladeshi national Uddin.
Syeedy acted as getaway driver for Kadir who is believed to have fled abroad the day after the killing, and could be in Syria. He denieed [sic] murdering the iman but admitted to the court he did not agree with “taweez” and he was previously involved in a plan to deport Uddin after it was found he was illegally overstaying in the UK.
The jury has now found Syeedy guilty of murder and he was sentenced to 24 years in jail.
Sue Hemming, Head of CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “The prosecution proved that Syeedy believed Jalal Uddin to be practising black magic and, inspired by the teachings of Daesh, that the victim deserved to die for that belief. Syeedy and his accomplice stalked Jalal Uddin round the streets before attacking him and leaving him to die….