**Elderly Imam Endures Harrowing Ordeal in “Exorcism Revenge” Kidnap Attack**
An 87-year-old imam in Oldham has spoken of the profound trauma he continues to suffer after being violently kidnapped, blindfolded, and left for dead in a rural area, following a bizarre and vengeful plot linked to an alleged exorcism. The man, who remains highly respected within his local community, was subjected to a sustained and brutal attack that shocked both residents and authorities.
The shocking events unfolded last September in Oldham, Greater Manchester, when the elderly man was forcibly grabbed from the street by two men and bundled into the back of a vehicle. Once inside, he was blindfolded and suffered a barrage of attacks, including being punched, strangled, and assaulted with a stick. The two attackers, later identified as Azizur Rahman and Shohad Miah, stripped him down to his underpants and a blood-stained T-shirt before abandoning him on a cold, remote country lane.
According to accounts presented at Manchester Crown Court, the origins of the kidnapping were deeply personal and rooted in suspicions of spiritual wrongdoing. It emerged that Rahman, driven by anger and under the influence of cocaine, orchestrated the attack after learning the imam had attended his family home to perform prayers and provide amulets for Rahman’s stepson, whom the boy’s mother believed was under the influence of evil spirits. This episode, allegedly meant as a form of exorcism, infuriated Rahman, who joined forces with his younger associate, Miah, to carry out the violent retribution.
After being left on the roadside without adequate clothing, the traumatised imam—wearing only one shoe—was forced to wander the area for approximately thirty minutes before managing to find help at a nearby house. Emergency services were quickly called, and the elderly victim was taken to hospital. His injuries were extensive: a bleed on the brain, a damaged ear, swelling to his face, severe neck bruising, and the loss of a tooth.
While both perpetrators were swiftly apprehended and brought to court, the emotional and psychological toll of the incident persists for the victim. In a statement read during sentencing, the imam voiced his continuing sense of vulnerability and shame, explaining that the attack had robbed him of his day-to-day freedoms and social confidence. “Before the incident, I used to go out of the house regularly and speak with members of the community. I don’t go out as often anymore,” he said. He described how community reactions left him feeling as if he were to blame for the ordeal, compounding his feelings of isolation and distress.
Rahman, 39, of Bluebell Walk in Oldham, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison, having been found guilty on charges including kidnap, robbery, aggravated assault, intentional strangulation, and perverting the course of justice. Rahman’s extensive criminal record and the fact he was serving a suspended sentence for a previous driving offence heightened the severity of the punishment. Miah, 25, from Firbank Road, Royton, received a nine-year prison sentence after being convicted of kidnap, serious assault, intentional strangulation, and perverting the course of justice.
Detective Sergeant Rick Bolt from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team commented on the outcome. “This was a particularly shocking crime that targeted a vulnerable elderly man, causing him severe physical and emotional trauma. The victim was not attacked at random; he was specifically targeted following a prior visit to Rahman’s home,” Bolt said. He credited the rapid and detailed investigation for ensuring the offenders were brought to justice and expressed hope that the sentencing would provide some reassurance to the victim and his loved ones.
Cases of elder abuse and targeted violence remain rare, but this incident has raised concerns about the safety of community leaders and vulnerable residents alike. It also highlights the ongoing impact such crimes can have, not only on individuals but the wider community’s sense of security and trust.
Support for the imam continues within Oldham’s close-knit circles, though he admits his recovery is ongoing. “I honestly thought I was going to die. I just want it all to go away,” he said, describing sleepless nights and a persistent fear of further reprisals.
Authorities have reiterated the message that such violent acts will not go unpunished and that support remains available for victims of crime across Greater Manchester. The case stands as a stark reminder of the profound ripple effects behind every headline-grabbing incident of violence, particularly when the most vulnerable are targeted.