Terrorist Attack on Manchester Synagogue

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Bradford: On Thursday, a horrific attack unfolded at a Jewish synagogue in Manchester, leaving two people dead and three seriously injured. The assailant was shot dead by police, and two further arrests have since been made. The incident is declared as an act of terrorism.

As a Muslim, witnessing such a brutal and senseless act of violence , especially at a place of worship, on one of the Jews holiest days, forced me to reflect deeply. The tragedy compelled me to confront a painful dilemma: how to respond to this unprovoked attack, particularly in the context of ongoing devastation in Gaza by the Zionist state of Israel.

It took careful thought and moral introspection to reach a conclusion that I now believe to be the only right one: I condemn, without reservation, this despicable act of violence against innocent worshippers in their sacred space. Nothing, no grievance, no injustice, can justify attacking people in prayer.

In arriving at this position, I had to draw a clear and necessary distinction between the actions of the Zionist State of Israel and the Jewish community here in Britain.

The genocide being carried out in Gaza by Netanyahu’s government is unconscionable. But we must remember: not all Jews support the actions of the Israeli state. In fact, many Jewish individuals and communities around the world are as outraged, heartbroken, and angry as we are. They too march for peace. They too call out oppression. They too say, “Not in our name.”

One of the longstanding frustrations within the Muslim world is that we are often judged by the actions of corrupt and unrepresentative leaders. We know all too well the feeling of being blamed collectively for decisions and actions we did not endorse. The anger we feel when entire communities are vilified for the crimes of a few is real and justified.

My faith teaches me to desire for others what I desire for myself and to treat others as I would wish to be treated. I do not want to be held accountable for the actions of oppressive regimes in the Muslim world. Likewise, I cannot hold every Jewish person responsible for the atrocities committed by the Israeli state.

And so, based on the values of justice, humanity, and the teachings of my faith, I take this stand:

I unequivocally condemn the heinous attack on the synagogue in Manchester. Violence against innocent civilians, especially in houses of worship, is never acceptable. Injustice in one part of the world can never excuse injustice elsewhere. Our shared humanity must come before political divides.

Let us grieve together, and let us not allow hate to become a mirror of the very oppression we seek to resist. Therefore, I am deeply shocked and profoundly saddened by the despicable and cowardly attack on a synagogue in Manchester.

This heinous act took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar , a deliberate and calculated attempt to instill fear and cause maximum harm to the Jewish community.

Places of worship ,whether synagogues, mosques, temples, or gurdwaras , are sacred spaces of peace, reflection, and spiritual connection. That terrorists choose to violate these sanctuaries is a stark reminder of their utter disregard for humanity and decency. In light of this attack, security at Jewish places of worship is being rightly reviewed and strengthened across the country.

Counter Terrorism Police are treating this as a terrorist incident. It comes amid a deeply troubling rise in antisemitic rhetoric, threats, and violence nationwide , a trend that must be confronted and condemned unequivocally.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmar, after cutting his visit short to Copenhagen, has returned to convene an emergency COBRA meeting in response to the attack. His Majesty The King has also expressed his profound sadness and shock at this barbaric act of terror.

Now more than ever, we must stand united in grief, in outrage, and in unwavering condemnation of this vile assault on our shared values.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community. There is no place for hate in our society. We will not be divided. We will not be intimidated.

The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.

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