Jewish community rallies against hate 'We have to live our lives, otherwise they will win'

Dozens of worshippers poured out of a synagogue on Bury Old Road.

Clad in their traditional attire, one hand gripped a prayer book whilst the other shielded them from the rain or held a loved one's hand. Many rushed home hastily, not knowing what was to come.

Most were eager to prepare meals after hours of fasting, whilst others wished to avoid lingering on the streets longer than necessary. Meanwhile, this person was at Manchester synagogue terror scene.

Just a few miles round the corner, terror was unleashed upon people who appeared just like them, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The congregation was part of the Holy Law Shul, amongst numerous local temples that were immediately placed under lockdown following a suspected terror incident at the Heaton Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road in Crumpsall.

Two people were killed and the suspect, three others were injured and the suspect was shot dead by armed police.

"I don't know what else I can say except I'm shocked right now." said one synagogue member who preferred to remain anonymous.

"I thought this was a community where people could live together in peace, but now I don't know. Me and my family don't feel safe at the moment, but we've got to live."

Another worshipper, who gave his name as Eli, said: "It's pretty shocking after the holiest day of our year.

"I don't think anyone in the community has come to terms with what has happened. I don't think anybody will for quite a while.

"I think this is going to be shake up for all of us. Many of us might have to think about potentially moving or taking other precautionary measures to make sure our families are safe.

"What has happened today is absolutely shocking, never in a million years would we have dreamed it would happen. We're all very shaken."

Also stopping to speak to the M.E.N, were two elderly ladies, one of them said: "We're just horrified. We're a very mixed community and we always thought there was a live and let live attitude to everything.

"This has just changed everything completely. Her companion added: "We are both elderly women, and we've never known anything like this. We're devastated."

A young couple spoke to the Manchester Evening News on Bury Old Road. The husband said: "It was like October 7th because there was whispers of stuff happening.

"It was like that but not as serious because it's not at the same gravity as October 7th.

"We have to live our lives like normal now, otherwise they win, but after the last two years, a lot of people have already left.

"We were praying when we were told what had happened."

Added his wife. "They said there was an incident at another synagogue and you're locked in and you can't leave.

"It's scary and shocking but because of the last two years, we've been kind of expecting it.

"We were in the synagogue from around 11am, and they locked it down until 3pm. They said it wasn't best to leave, but if we had to go, then to go in twos and not to return.

"We had to go because our son was in nursery. We knew it wasn't safe, but it was important to be with him."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the incident, which saw a vehicle ploughing into pedestrians and a knife attack outside Heaton Park Synagogue on Middleton Road at 9.30am.

The force later confirmed two people had perished - and a third person, believed to be the perpetrator who was shot by armed officers - was also understood to have died.

Five people, including a security guard, suffered injuries.

Officers were dispatched to the "major incident" on Thursday morning.

A bomb disposal unit is at the scene alongside armed police, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The assault comes as members of the Jewish community observe Yom Kippur - regarded as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and a time when synagogues are typically exceptionally busy.

In an update, Counter Terrorism Policing said: "The investigation into the attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester this morning continues.

"We can confirm that three suspects are currently in custody and have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. They are two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s.

"Scenes remain in place on White House Avenue, Crumpsall and Langley Crescent in Prestwich, which are also linked to the arrests.

"We are now able to confirm that, although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for today's attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie. He is a British citizen of Syrian descent.

"A suspicious device worn by the attacker during the incident has been assessed and was deemed not to be viable.

"Based on what we currently know, our records do not show any previous Prevent referrals relating to this individual.

"Two innocent men were sadly pronounced dead following the incident.

"Three other men remain in hospital with serious injuries. One sustained a stab wound and a second was struck by the car involved in the attack.

"The third man later presented himself at hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker.

"We are working to formally identify those who have tragically been killed and provide support to their loved ones, in addition to the injured and the wider community.

"We are working to understand the motivation behind the attack as the investigation continues."