Jalal Uddin: “Incredible” £11,000 raised in three days for funeral fund

Mirza Sadiquil Zamal

In just a few short days since the tragic death of Qari Jalal Uddin, the community has pulled together and raised an incredible £11,000 to fund his funeral and support his wife and children.

Close friend Mirza Sadiquil Zamal set up a page on Friday afternoon (19 February), and said that donations rocketed into the thousands in minutes.

The generosity of local people, he says, is evidence that all communities are pulling together in the name of humanity instead of submitting to tensions mentioned in the national media.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Mirza said: “It was amazing, the page had only been up for a couple of hours and we flew right past the target of £3,000. Now, along with cash donations as well, we are up to £11,000, and this all happened in three days. We want this money to fund the funeral.

“The response and support has been overwhelming, it has gone to show how strong the community of Rochdale is. It has also shown how much unity we have. I would like to thank everyone for supporting us in all their various ways and soon hopefully Qari Jalal Uddin will see his justice.”

Councillor Ali Ahmed said: “I have spoken to the family in Bangladesh, and of course they are very upset and they just want him home. The support we have had from the local people is incredible. The community is attached to each other and there is a very strong, positive atmosphere. Even the police were impressed by how everyone is going out of their way to be helpful. People are still wanting to donate even now.”

Councillor Shefali Ahmed said: “For funds like this to be raised in such a short space of time really shows how strong the community is. There has been a lot of negativity going around and some bad headlines as well, what this shows is that the community is pulling together and doing far more that what is expected of them. There is something very positive about that.”

A date is soon to be set for the funeral, which is understood will take place in Bangladesh with immediate family members.

To donate, visit:

https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/mirzasadiqul-zamal