He wrote the play, he said, as “an act of exorcism.”

“We occasionally deal with people who come along and say ‘help me, I’m possessed’ so they’re looking for an exorcism,” he said.

The men were opposed to Mr Uddin’s practice of Ruqyah, a form of exorcism which is regarded by some as “black magic”, said Jason Beer KC, counsel to the inquiry.

Similarly, religious wounds, or "church hurt" are exposed in Lee Daniels’ exorcism film "The Deliverance," albeit having a slapdash script.

Stanton delivered regular sermons to community residents, which included exorcisms and speaking in tongues.