In the heart of north Manchester, a city known for its vibrant mosaic of cultures and faiths, tragedy struck on October 2, 2025, when a terror attack shattered the peace at Heaton Park Synagogue. The assault, which occurred during a Yom Kippur service, left two British Jewish worshippers—Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66—dead, and three others injured as they tried to protect their fellow congregants. The attacker, identified as 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent Jihad Al-Shamie, was shot dead by police at the scene, according to BBC and ManchesterWorld.
The events of that Thursday morning unfolded with harrowing speed and violence. Alan Levy, Chair of the Trustees of Heaton Park Synagogue, recounted the terrifying moments as Al-Shamie rammed his car into the synagogue and attempted to force his way inside. "I saw this great, big, evil monster shoulder charge in the front doors, trying to bash them down with a knife in his hand," Levy told the BBC. "The only thing I heard was him saying 'this is what you're going to get for killing our children.' That's the only thing I heard him say. And we were behind the doors and we were saying 'we are not letting this man in.' He was a deranged, evil monster."
Levy and other members of the congregation managed to barricade the doors, using whatever they could find—chairs, tables, even plant pots—to hold back the assailant. Despite their efforts, the attack resulted in the tragic deaths of Daulby and Cravitz, with Daulby reportedly struck by police gunfire as officers responded to the threat. The BBC reported that three others suffered injuries as they tried to protect worshippers from harm.
In the immediate aftermath, the community was left reeling. Hundreds gathered for a vigil before the Jewish Sabbath began on Friday, October 3, as described by the BBC. The air was thick with emotion, umbrellas dotted with color shielding mourners from the rain. Anna Bergson, who is married to a rabbi and whose children attend Jewish schools, spoke of a sense of foreboding that had gripped the community long before the attack. "You could feel it in the air that something terrible was going to happen—it was just a question of when," she said. "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."
Shelley Ferster, another attendee, described the shock as feeling like being "punched in the stomach and [feeling that] everybody hates you." Still, she found comfort in the broad show of support: "It was nice to see all the support from people of all different faiths here." The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation expressed gratitude for the "countless expressions of solidarity that have poured in," adding, "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."
Indeed, the attack reverberated far beyond the synagogue walls, touching every corner of north Manchester—a region long celebrated for its "unapologetic diversity." Crumpsall, Prestwich, and Cheetham Hill have, for centuries, been home to waves of migrants and faith communities: synagogues, churches, mosques, and Sikh gurdwaras all stand within walking distance of one another. Shop owner Javed Fozdar, a local Muslim resident, told the BBC, "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."
Community leaders and organizations from across Greater Manchester moved swiftly to denounce the violence and reaffirm their commitment to unity. The family of the attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, publicly condemned his actions, stating their "hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families." The Manchester-based group Rethink Rebuild, representing local Syrians, echoed this sentiment, urging residents "not to allow this tragedy to give rise to racist incidents directed at Syrians, Muslims or migrants."
The Sikh community, too, voiced its sorrow and solidarity. In a statement reported by ManchesterWorld, Sikh leaders said, "The Sikh community of Manchester and the Council of Gurdwaras of Manchester is deeply saddened by the horrific attack outside the Synagogue in our city this morning. Our hearts and our prayers go out to the victims, their families and the Jewish community of our city in this very distressing time." They emphasized that "this event is a reminder that we must not deflect from working towards a One Manchester in which we will all live in safety and harmony regardless of what our beliefs and backgrounds are."
Political leaders joined the chorus of support. Manchester council leader Bev Craig described the attack as leaving a "deep mark" on the city. "In Manchester, we will stand with and support our Jewish friends, our Jewish community, our neighbours, and fellow residents. We’ll stand together, wrapping our arms around them with the love and the support that they need," Craig said, pledging to work with agencies to ensure safety for all citizens.
Law enforcement responded with urgency. Greater Manchester Police arrested four individuals—two men aged 30 and 32, and two women aged 61 and 46—on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses in connection with the attack. Two others, an 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, were released without further action, as confirmed by police statements to the BBC.
As the city grappled with grief, the funerals of the victims became moments of collective mourning and remembrance. Hundreds attended the funeral service for Melvin Cravitz in Pendlebury, Salford, braving the rain to pay their respects. His family described him as someone who would "do anything to help anyone." Adrian Daulby’s family hailed him as a "hero," stating, "His final act was one of profound courage and he will forever be remembered for his heroic act."
In the days that followed, the Jewish community refused to be cowed. On October 5, members gathered outside Manchester Cathedral in a powerful show of unity and defiance, waving Union Jack and Israeli flags as they stood under the watchful eyes of police and the Community Security Trust. "Standing tall, not silent," one participant told reporters, capturing the spirit of resilience that runs deep through Manchester’s veins. Others called it a "moment of strength and unity"—a declaration that antisemitism, though persistent, would not drive them into hiding.
Across Manchester, the attack has prompted reflection on the city’s social fabric. Mohammed Baz, manager of Manchester Plaza shopping center, told the BBC that despite recent tensions—including protests over asylum seekers and the ongoing conflict in Gaza—the "social strength in this community is very good." He noted the mix of Eastern European, Arabic, Muslim, Jewish, and English residents, saying, "Considering the massive mix of people, there have been very few issues."
Faith leaders, residents, and officials alike agree that the attack was not just a test of Manchester’s resilience, but also a call to reaffirm the city’s commitment to peace, tolerance, and solidarity. As the community mourns its losses, the resolve to stand together—against violence, division, and hatred—remains unshaken.
