Manchester terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie's father speaks out for first time

The father of the Manchester synagogue terrorist, Jihad Al-Shamie, has finally spoken out about his son's deadly attack.

Faraj Al-Shamie, 74, emerged from his hideaway in France yesterday to speak with reporters from the Daily Mail, just hours after making a detailed comment on Facebook about the attack for the first time. The horrifying incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur last week resulted in the deaths of two innocent people and Jihad himself.

In his post, Faraj wrote: "The recent tragic act of terror has brought deep pain - to our family and to the families of the victims. Our hearts and prayers are with them. No one should ever experience such suffering again." The news emerges as Manchester synagogue terrorist was reported to police four years ago insist neighbours.

Faraj, who works as a surgeon at a hospital, went on to praise Manchester for embodying the "true spirit of multicultural peace and solidarity". He continued: "Manchester has always been - and remains - a shining example of unity and coexistence, where Muslims, Christians, Jews, and people of all faiths live side by side in respect and harmony.

"Having lived here for years, I can say with pride that this city embodies the true spirit of multicultural peace and solidarity. No one should ever experience such suffering again. We must all stand together - united, vigilant, and compassionate - to prevent such acts and protect the peace of our communities.", reports the Mirror.

Three other individuals sustained severe injuries in the terror assault, which occurred just days ahead of the second anniversary marking the beginning of the Hamas-Israel war.

It subsequently came to light that Faraj had previously posted online remarks endorsing Hamas and the 7 October terror strikes, though he failed to acknowledge them in yesterday's Facebook statement.

Faraj reportedly praised Hamas after October 7, and hailed Israel's imminent demise, before later urging the group to release elderly people and children it took hostage.

In a Facebook post, uncovered by The Times of London, from the day of the onslaught, Faraj al-Shamie hailed the Hamas fighters invading Israel by land and air as "God's men on earth," adding that they "prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Israel will not remain."

In a post three days later, the Times said, he wrote, "Release the elderly and children. What you have done so far is a miracle by all standards. Do not harm them in a moment of anger. They have no place in war."

"May God grant you victory, support you, and guide you to the right path in a battle that history will record as the beginning of the liberation of Al-Aqsa, God willing," he added.

Faraj al-Shamie also related to Iran's attacks on Israel on his Facebook page, the Times said, writing: "We are waiting for more," and "your goods are being returned to you."

There remains enormous public curiosity regarding Jihad Al-Shamie's motives for the assault, yet when confronted by journalists yesterday, his father declined to discuss his son's violent anti-Semitic beliefs.

Speaking from the garden of his humble bungalow in a village within the Picardie region, the surgeon refused to respond to enquiries about his involvement in his 35 year old son's upbringing, including his decision to name his firstborn "Jihad" – the Arabic term for holy war.

He informed the Daily Mail correspondent: "I don't have anything to say."

However, British counter-terrorism officers and intelligence agencies believe Jihad Al-Shamie's assault on the Manchester synagogue stemmed from his fury over Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, during which tens of thousands of Palestinians have perished.

Faraj established himself in Manchester's Crumpsall district after relocating his family, including his eldest son Jihad, from Syria to Britain during the 1990s.

It is believed he continues to live in the city but quickly departed for refuge in France following the shooting.