On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the north Manchester community was shaken by a brutal attack on the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue that left two worshippers dead and at least three others seriously wounded. The attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed his car into the synagogue before emerging to stab several people. Police fatally shot Al-Shamie at the scene, but the impact of the violence rippled far beyond the immediate tragedy, prompting an outpouring of solidarity and reflection across Manchester and beyond.
The victims, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were remembered by their community and the wider public not only for their devotion but also for the sense of unity their loss inspired. Leaders at Heaton Park Synagogue, speaking after the attack, expressed gratitude for the widespread support they received. According to BBC News, they stated, "The greatest tribute to the memory of Adrian and Melvin would be for communities right across the country to come together in peace and solidarity." The message was clear: in the face of hate, unity is the strongest answer.
On Friday, October 3, local residents gathered under umbrellas for a vigil, braving the rain to stand together in mourning and defiance of division. Anna Bergson, whose family is deeply rooted in the local Jewish community, spoke candidly about the climate leading up to the attack. "You could feel it in the air that something terrible was going to happen—it was just a question of when," she reflected, adding, "So we've never been fully relaxed, we've always been on our guard and now it's happened and it's just very surreal." Her words echoed a discomfort that had been simmering, as concerns about rising antisemitic hatred had been voiced by many in the area.
For others, the attack struck a deeply personal chord. Shelley Ferster described her reaction as feeling "punched in the stomach and [feeling that] everybody hates you." Yet, she found some solace in the diverse turnout at the vigil. "It was nice to see all the support from people of all different faiths here," she said, highlighting the community’s resilience and willingness to come together in dark times.
The family of the attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, issued a public condemnation of his actions, calling it a "heinous act." They expressed their own grief and extended their thoughts to the victims and their families. This sentiment was echoed by the Manchester-based organization Rethink Rebuild, which mainly serves local Syrians. The group stated, "We stand in full solidarity with our Jewish neighbours," and urged the public "not to allow this tragedy to give rise to racist incidents directed at Syrians, Muslims or migrants."
North Manchester—particularly the neighborhoods of Crumpsall, Prestwich, and Cheetham Hill—has long been celebrated for its unapologetic diversity. It’s an area where synagogues, churches, mosques, and Sikh gurdwaras have stood side by side for generations, a testament to the peaceful coexistence of various faiths and backgrounds. Shop owner Javed Fozdar, a Muslim resident, described his experience living in the area: "I've never had issues as a Muslim where I live. I have Jewish neighbours and a synagogue on the corner of my road. We all live side by side peacefully, so something like this to happen in this area, it's very shocking." He voiced concerns about the potential for the attack to disrupt the harmony that has defined the community for so long, adding, "Let's hope an idiot doesn't spoil what we've got here and we all live peacefully."
Safoora, another Crumpsall resident, emphasized the importance of tolerance in the face of tragedy. "I believe in tolerance. Although we belong to different nations, different religions, here in England, humanity is top of the list," she said. She admitted the attack "disturbed everyone," but also noted that such events have occurred before, and communities must continue to react with compassion and resolve.
For Mohammed Baz, manager of the Manchester Plaza shopping complex, the attack was a stark reminder of underlying social tensions, particularly in light of recent protests over asylum seekers and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. "That's going to have an impact on everybody's feelings towards what's happening there," he told BBC News. "But that doesn't mean that people should go out and do anything bad." Baz described the local community as a vibrant tapestry of cultures—"We are such a mix of Eastern European, Arabic, Muslim, Jewish, English. Considering the massive mix of people, there have been very few issues. The social strength in this community is very good."
As the city grappled with the aftermath, tributes poured in from across Manchester. On Saturday, October 4, Old Trafford, the iconic home of Manchester United, fell silent before the Premier League match against Sunderland as players, coaches, and thousands of fans observed a minute’s silence in honor of Daulby and Cravitz. Both teams stood with arms linked at the center circle, a powerful visual of unity in grief. Manchester United players wore black armbands emblazoned with the words "a city united," a phrase that quickly became a rallying cry for the city’s resilience. According to the Associated Press, referee Stuart Attwell signaled the start of the tribute, and the stadium—usually alive with chants and cheers—was hushed in solemn respect.
This gesture was not limited to the men’s team. Manchester United’s women’s players also wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence before their match against Chelsea at the Progress with Unity Stadium in Leigh, Greater Manchester. The city’s other football giant, Manchester City, announced plans to pay similar tribute at their upcoming game against Brentford on Sunday, October 5, with players set to wear black armbands and join in a moment of silence.
The attack left four other individuals injured, three of whom were hospitalized with serious injuries. In a tragic twist, police reported that one of the victims may have been accidentally shot by an officer as worshippers attempted to prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue. This detail, reported by the Associated Press, added another layer of heartbreak to an already devastating event.
As Manchester continues to process the tragedy, the prevailing message from all corners of the community is one of solidarity and hope. The call from local leaders, faith groups, and ordinary residents is clear: the best way to honor the victims is to reaffirm the values of peace, tolerance, and unity that have long defined the city. In the words of Heaton Park Synagogue’s leaders, the "greatest tribute" is for communities to "come together in peace and solidarity." For a city that has weathered its share of storms, Manchester’s response stands as a testament to the enduring power of compassion and collective resolve.
