Terror Strikes on Yom Kippur: Synagogue Attack in Manchester

By Marcus Nkire

What should have been a morning of prayer and reflection turned into chaos in Manchester when worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur at a synagogue in the Crumpsall area. Just after morning prayers began, a car rammed into people outside the building before the attacker jumped out and began stabbing those nearby.

Armed police responded within minutes, exchanging fire with the suspect and fatally wounding him. For a tense period, the area was sealed off as bomb disposal experts were called in due to suspicions about what the attacker was wearing. By late morning, officials confirmed that two worshippers had died, while several others remained in hospital, some in critical condition.

The attack has been declared a terrorist incident. Police say they believe they know the identity of the assailant and have made further arrests in connection with the case. Security has been tightened across Manchester, particularly around Jewish institutions, and patrols have increased in other UK cities as a precaution.

The timing of the assault on Yom Kippur — the holiest day in the Jewish calendar — has left the community shaken. Survivors described scenes of panic, with parents rushing children to safety and worshippers helping the wounded until emergency services arrived.

National leaders have condemned the violence, promising stronger security for religious sites and pledging support to affected families. The attack has renewed fears among Jewish communities, who have already faced rising antisemitism in recent years. At the same time, messages of solidarity have poured in from across the country, with interfaith groups and local residents calling for unity in the face of hate.

Investigators are piecing together how the attacker carried out the assault and whether it was part of a wider network. Questions remain over how such an attack could unfold outside a place of worship on one of the most sacred days of the year.

For Manchester’s Jewish community, the tragedy has left deep scars. Yet even amid grief, there is a determination not to be defined by fear, but to hold firmly to faith, resilience, and the hope that justice and healing will follow.