Exclusive: Concerns about apparently fanatical interest in Islam shown by Jihad al-Shamie’s family member were reported, Guardian told
Neighbours of the Manchester synagogue attacker reported concerns to police about a family member being “radicalised” and attempting to “preach” the Qur’an to local children, the Guardian has been told.
Police have said Jihad al-Shamie, 35, did not appear to be known to counter-terrorism officials before he attacked a Heaton Park synagogue leading to the deaths of two worshippers on Yom Kippur.
However, people who knew the family said on Monday they had concerns about the apparently fanatical interest in Islam shown by the killer and another family member in recent years.
One neighbour said “everything changed” during the Covid pandemic when Shamie and the other relative started wearing traditional Islamic dress, holding “private” gatherings in the garden and attempting to “preach the Qur’an” on their quiet suburban street.
