On 2 October 2025, on the holiest day for Jews – Yom Kippur, a terror attack took place at a synagogue in Manchester, UK killing two and injuring several others.
Speaking after inspecting the scene of Thursday’s terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmud expressed horror at the antisemitic assault that left two dead and three injured.
“I am horrified by the antisemitic terrorist attack at a synagogue on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. My prayers are with the victims and the families of all of those who are murdered here today,” Mahmud said. “I want to thank the police and all of the emergency services for the speed of their response and also for their considerable bravery. The government has stepped up security at synagogues across the whole of the country and we will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe. I know that there are many questions that are still to be answered and rest assured they will be answered as quickly as possible. It will just take a little time for us to establish exactly what has happened here. But we will share more information as soon as we are able. What I do want to say is to those who seek to divide us, they will fail. Thank you.”
Had Waxed Eloquent About “Islam Being Her Driver”
Mahmud’s response comes amid growing scrutiny over her record and recent appointment as the UK’s first Muslim Home Secretary. Earlier, she openly discussed the central role of her faith in her life.
In a viral video, she said, “Islam is my religion and like lot of practicing Muslims, my faith is the most important thing in my life. It is the absolute driver of everything that I do. I feel a very strong calling of my own conscience and my conscience calls me to God… “
In an interview back in 2024, she said, “My faith is the core of who I am. It is the part of me that remains when all else is gone. I would see it as the central truth of who I am as a person. It shapes my life and my views and how I think about the world and my role and my place in it. My faith calls me to public service. The fundamental values of my faith around decency and fairness, not wanting to live in a society where there’s conflict, those fundamental drivers I get from my faith. Others would get them from other places but for me, they’re shaped by the fact that I’m a Muslim.”
The interview revealed that her office in the Ministry of Justice, where she served as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor before being promoted to Home Secretary, was adorned with photos of the three holiest sites in Islam, a framed declaration of faith in Quranic Arabic, and a Union Jack. Mahmoud also wore a necklace reading “Allah” during the interview.
Mahmud’s critics have argued that her religious devotion and past political stances could influence her impartiality on issues of national security, immigration, and policing. Opponents cite her history of supporting pro-Palestinian positions, including backing the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel, advocating for Kashmiri independence, opposing deportation of foreign criminals, and challenging the citizenship revocation of Shamima Begum.
From Justice Secretary To Home Secretary, Pro-Hamas/Anti-Israel Stand
Her tenure as Justice Secretary from July 2024 to September 2025 drew further criticism. During this period, she oversaw early release schemes for over a thousand prisoners to address overcrowding, a move marred by administrative errors and labeled by some as a setback to public safety. She also expanded legal aid for asylum seekers and immigrants contesting deportation by 10%, which opponents argue prioritised non-citizens at taxpayers’ expense. Softer sentencing guidelines for non-white British offenders and hesitation to prosecute social media offenses have also been cited as evidence of potential bias.
Mahmud was appointed Home Secretary in early September 2025, replacing a cabinet reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation. Her promotion came amid escalating challenges including record small-boat migrant arrivals and growing concerns about Islamist extremism in the UK. Commentators had warned that her activist background, combined with a pro-Hamas stance and controversial positions on foreign policy, may compromise her ability to act decisively on immigration, counterterrorism, and law and order.
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