Imam beaten up over genie treatment

An Iraqi Imam (preacher) in Sharjah was hospitalised after he was beaten up by an Arab man for refusing to treat him for allegedly being possessed by a genie, saying he was not an exorcist.

The unnamed Arab man waited for the Imam to finish night prayers on Saturday and attacked him inside the mosque in Buheira area, causing injuries to the preacher, who was rushed to Kuwait hospital in the city, Emarat Al Youm Arabic language daily reported on Tuesday.

It quoted the victim's son, Abdul Wahab, as saying the Arab man had threatened his father two days before because he refused to treat him by reciting the Quran.

"The Arab man claimed he was haunted by genies and wanted the Imam to treat him and read verses ….but the Imam refused, saying this is not his job," the paper said. "His son said the Arab man had also threatened to kill his father unless he accepts his request."

It also quoted Abdul Wahab as saying he man attacked his father from the back, causing him to hit a steel door.

"My father fell unconscious and was bleeding….the man was still beating him then he tore my father's clothes…he again threatened to kill my father."

The paper quoted police as saying they were investigating the incident but did not make clear if the assailant had been arrested.

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