A SHOPKEEPER who was depressed by huge debts hanged himself in a shed at the rear of a mosque where he prayed.
A week earlier, father-of-six Mujahid Hussain had tried to end his life by swallowing rat poison.
An inquest heard that in 2007 he had re-mortgaged his home and obtained a loan of £140,000 to buy an off-licence called Superstar in Rusholme.
But after a year, business slumped and Mr Hussain, 57, of Ashfield Road, Longsight, was unable to pay the rent and became depressed.
In January last year he rang police after taking poison and was kept in hospital overnight.
Burden
Eldest son Mohammed Amar, who helped to run the shop, said in a statement, that his father was naive when it came to business and finance.
“He told me he had made a mess of the business and the burden of the shop and its problems caused him a lot stress,” he said.
Three days after going missing last January, Mr Hussain was found dead in a shed at the back of Manchester Central Mosque in Rusholme.
Recording a verdict that he took his own life, Manchester’s Deputy Coroner Graham Jackson said he believed taking the poison and telling the police had been a cry for help, but what happened in the shed was ‘a deliberate step to end his life’.
He added: “This was a tragic event and it’s clear he was extremely hard working, but the financial situation was the catalyst which led to him taking his life.”
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Erica Nurney (21/01/2010 at 11:08)
please dont think of me as being racist but can i ask why if muslims are against alcohol do they not feel bad or sacreligious about selling and profitting from it?
chillbill, oldham (21/01/2010 at 11:12)
Ignoramus, Manchester (21/01/2010 at 11:22)
CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (21/01/2010 at 11:40)
Luise, Sydney (21/01/2010 at 11:59)
WAF (21/01/2010 at 12:02)
That's like asking a Vegetarian why they work in Tesco, a shop that sells meat.
Rujibabes, Rochdale (21/01/2010 at 12:24)
Ignoramus, Manchester (21/01/2010 at 12:34)
How can we not think of this as being racist? I don't even see anywhere that the story says hes Muslim, you assumed that based on his name.
What a horrible first post to have on this story I hope none of his children read it.
Deejay, Bury (21/01/2010 at 12:37)
It is high time that we took a leaf out of the French book, and restrict lending. In France you are only allowed to loan money if the repayment value of your month repayment does not exceed 1/3 of your salary.
Asian.Sensation (21/01/2010 at 13:00)
jordy, Middleton (21/01/2010 at 13:13)
RT, UK (21/01/2010 at 14:02)
Please try and talk to someone about your feelings. I would start with the Samaritans
using their local Manchester number 0161 236 8000
Using their kick back 0845 number will put you in more debt.
happychappy, Northwest (21/01/2010 at 14:38)
Audenshaw Bob (21/01/2010 at 15:39)
He survived on credit cards as this was his only means but kept it secret such was his shame.
He has had a balance of £30k for six years now and hasn't spent a penny on them in that time. On a balance of £30k, paying minimum payments only, he is paying £11,000 per annum! In six years he has paid £66k and he still owes the initial £30k! He has asked for a reduction in the sky high interest rates - no chance. On one card he didn't pay the minimum payment one month as his mortgage shot up by 56%. Eight calls a day, letters, email texts from the card company - real harrassment. He had £4
lizard (21/01/2010 at 15:50)
lizard (21/01/2010 at 15:58)
Thermos O'Flask, Manchester (21/01/2010 at 16:14)
As Ignoramus has said, the fact that you worry shows you are a good person at heart. You should not let guilt and shame destroy you. There is life after debt, but it takes a lot of change in your life and acceptance.
Chipping in, Manchester (21/01/2010 at 18:00)
Ignoramus, Manchester
21/01/2010 at 12:34
Actually, Ignoramus, I think she based it on the fact he was found at the rear of the mosque where he prayed, Notwithstanding that though, this is not the time nor place to talk about his beliefs, more a time to pass on our condolences to his family.
Hellas (21/01/2010 at 19:13)
I agree with you. A lot of other people would have sold the business or their house and run away, setting up somewhere else under a pseudonym.
Erica Nurney - 21/01/2010 at 11:08
It's not a racist thing to ask, but it's a stupid, ignorant and crass question to ask.
Ignoramus, Manchester - 21/01/2010 at 12:34
Mohammed is, in fact, a Muslim name. The fact he was found behind a mosque and not a church, shows he's a Muslim.
Pandora (21/01/2010 at 21:18)
When in Rome (21/01/2010 at 22:41)
nn, STOCKPORT (22/01/2010 at 00:19)
CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (22/01/2010 at 10:41)
salfordrat (22/01/2010 at 12:26)
Erica Nurney
There may be a time and a place for such a question - it isnt here. And, it probably isn't even for you to ask or care about, unless you are Muslim and some kind of cleric or community leader.
speki4eyes , Greater Manchester (27/01/2010 at 19:48)
why is everyone attacking Erica? just by asking a question about a particular religion does not make you a racist. Erica, here is the answer to your question. Muslims are not allowed to drink or sell alcohol, or carry out any kinds of dealings concerning alcohol. but sadly, most off licences are owned and run by Muslims and yes they should feel bad and ashamed about it.
and Pandora, those Muslims who enjoy drinking with you, may be you should remind them of their religion, because it is they who contradict their own religion.