The father of the Manchester synagogue attacker has called for unity, as the community marked one week on from the assault which claimed the lives of two men.

People gathered outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall at 9.30am, the time of the attack last Thursday, to pray and mourn the victims.

Jihad al Shamie was shot dead by police after launching his car and knife attack as worshippers gathered on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

In a statement posted on Facebook, al Shamie’s father Faraj wrote: “The recent tragic act of terror has brought deep pain – to our family and to the families of the victims. Our hearts and prayers are with them.

“No one should ever experience such suffering again. We must all stand together – united, vigilant and compassionate – to prevent such acts and protect the peace of our communities.”

Adrian Daulby, 53, is believed to have been shot dead by police while attempting to prevent al Shamie from entering the synagogue.

Mervyn Cravitz, 66, also died while trying to keep the attacker from entering the building. Three other people remain in hospital.

Rabbi Daniel Walker told the congregation that “evil will not prevail” and called for “deep resolve” from the community.

There was applause from the crowd for Greater Manchester Police, with a large presence of officers at the event, for their response on the day of the attack.

Raphi Bloom, a board member of the Jewish Representative Council, said there was a feeling of anger in the community as “we were screaming this would happen and no one listened”.

He told Sky News: “Our feelings are still of mourning, of fear and of isolation. We feel very alone. We’re very, very angry that this was allowed to happen and fearful that it will happen again.

“But we won’t be cowed and we won’t be beaten.”

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All six people who were arrested and questioned by police on suspicion of terrorism offences have now been released without charge.

Counter Terrorism Policing North West Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “This does not mean our investigation has concluded.”

Police have confirmed that al Shamie dialled 999 during the attack, claiming responsibility and pledging allegiance to Islamic State.

They have reiterated that he had never been referred to the government’s anti-terror Prevent programme and was not known to counter-terror policing.

“This remains a live counter terrorism investigation,” they said.

Events have been taking place across the country to mark one week on from the attack.

The Princess of Wales has said smartphones and computer screens create “an epidemic of disconnection” within families.

Kate’s words – in an essay co-written with a Harvard professor – come ahead of a visit to Oxford to highlight her work on early years education and support.

In the piece, she says that “while new technology has many benefits, we must also acknowledge that it plays a complex and often troubling role in this epidemic of disconnection”.

“While digital devices promise to keep us connected, they frequently do the opposite,” writes the princess.

“Our smartphones, tablets, and computers have become sources of constant distraction, fragmenting our focus and preventing us from giving others the undivided attention that relationships require.”

Emphasising how she believes technology can interfere in family life, she adds: “We sit together in the same room while our minds are scattered across dozens of apps, notifications, and feeds.

“We’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us.

“This technological interference strikes at something fundamental: our undivided attention is the most precious gift we can give another person. Yet, increasingly, it’s the most difficult gift to offer.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales have previously spoken about the potentially harmful effects of social media.

In a recent interview, Prince William revealed that their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, currently don’t have mobile phones, and that they try to have dinner together.

Kate’s essay, titled The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World, was released by her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and written in collaboration with Professor Robert Waldinger.

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Kate first met the Harvard academic in 2022 and he’s worked closely with the Royal Foundation ever since.

“We live increasingly lonelier lives, which research shows is toxic to human health, and it’s our young people (aged 16 to 24) that report being the loneliest of all, the very generation that should be forming the relationships that will sustain them throughout life,” write the princess and the professor.

Later today, the princess will visit Home‑Start Oxford to meet volunteers and families, and talk about how they are using resources and films produced by the Centre for Early Childhood to help parents and children.

A murderer who threw “prison napalm” over a man before stabbing him in the heart has been jailed for at least 20 years.

Gavin Gallagher, 33, claimed he was acting in self-defence when he launched the boiling water and sugar mix over Stephen Gray, 23, before knifing him.

However, he was convicted of murder and accused of staging the crime scene in an attempt to cover his tracks.

In his sentencing statement, Judge Lord Mulholland told Gallagher: “I was not surprised that the jury rejected self-defence and provocation.

“It seemed to me that your defence of self-defence was staged, and your lies unravelled.”

The fatal attack occurred at a block of flats in Glasgow’s Southcroft Street on 3 November 2023.

Lord Mulholland said Mr Gray was bare chested when Gallagher threw the boiling water and sugar mix over him.

The concoction is often referred to as “prison napalm” due to being used by inmates during assaults.

The judge said the vast majority of burns were to Mr Gray’s back.

Lord Mulholland said: “He was bare chested, and the burns caused by what you did must have been very painful. You can see that from the photographs of his injuries.”

Gallagher then stabbed Mr Gray twice with a large kitchen knife.

The judge said: “One of these blows penetrated his heart and caused massive bleeding which led to his death. This injury was unsurvivable.

“You then did what you could to set up a defence of self-defence in an attempt to cover your tracks.

“You placed a knife alongside his dying body and said to a neighbour that it was the deceased’s knife.

“You told anyone who would listen that you killed him in self-defence.”

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Gallagher was convicted of murder at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

He returned to the dock for sentencing on Wednesday, when he was handed a life sentence with at least 20 years in jail.

Detective Superintendent Hannah Edward said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Stephen and while we know nothing can change what has happened, I hope this brings them some degree of closure as they try to move forward.

“This was a shocking attack and Gallagher will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.”