The Trustees of the Faith Network for Manchester have heard with deep sorrow of the attack on worshippers attending the Yom Kippur service at Heaton Park Synagogue earlier today.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish brothers and sisters at this painful time, offering our heartfelt sympathies to all those directly affected and to the wider community who will feel the impact of this act of hatred.

Manchester is a proud, diverse city where people of many faiths and backgrounds live side by side. When one community is attacked, we all feel the pain. Together, we must reject division and strengthen our bonds of peace, compassion, and mutual respect.

We therefore ask everyone reading this statement to join us in working towards peace and harmony in our Manchester communities, showing through our words and deeds that love and unity are stronger than hate and violence.

As Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminded us, “Do an act of kindness every day to build peace.” Let each of us, in our own way, be a builder of peace and a source of hope for others.

With solidarity and prayers,

The Trustees of the Faith Network for Manchester