The father of the knife-wielding terrorist responsible for a horrific attack on a Manchester synagogue has made shocking statements that glorify violence and celebrate terror. Faraj Al Shamie, the father of Jihad Al Shamie, referred to Hamas terrorists as “God’s men on earth” and hailed their deadly actions as a “miracle.”
This appalling rhetoric surfaced just after Al Shamie’s son committed his heinous act during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Amid the tragedy at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Faraj Al Shamie tried to distance himself from his son’s actions, yet his Facebook posts reveal a disturbing admiration for violence against Israel.
In a bold statement made on the day of the attacks, he claimed that the actions of Hamas demonstrate “beyond a shadow of a doubt that Israel will not remain.” He went on to assert that these terror acts are the true compass for those who believe in their eventual victory, regardless of the means employed. Such statements are not just ignorant— they are a direct endorsement of extremism.
Faraj Al Shamie’s posts did not stop there. He lamented the lack of assistance for Hamas, imploring those with honor to support their cause. This is not simply a case of misplaced loyalties; it reveals a deeper ideology rooted in hatred and violence.
Days following the attack, his family issued a statement that, on the surface, condemned the actions yet felt hollow given the father’s earlier remarks. They claimed to stand with the victims, but their words ring false when juxtaposed against the father’s glorification of terror.
Jihad Al Shamie was shot dead by police as he attempted to gain entry into the synagogue, having already instigated terror and suffering. Two innocent people lost their lives in this attack, and others were critically injured, including victims accidentally shot by law enforcement during the chaos.
The authorities are still investigating the motives behind this attack, but one thing is crystal clear: the ideology that spawned this violence must be confronted unequivocally. Citizens deserve the right to worship in peace, and we must not allow hate to flourish unnoticed. This incident highlights the urgent need for a unified stance against those who would perpetuate such violence under the guise of religious or political conviction.
