"Jihad": A few things don't add up...?

[Beachtastic]

I know it's early days and we don't have much info to go on about the killer at the Manchester synagogue. But this BBC news article is very confusing.

He's described as a "35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent" who "was granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16" ... my maths is shit, but 2025 minus 2006 = 19...? Other articles says he was a minor when he was given citizenship.

Apparently he was "on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape at the time of the killings" but "was not charged with the offence."

His parents, understandably, have made a strong statement distancing themselves from his actions, but the article goes on to say:

A post on his father's Facebook page, which has been verified by the BBC, appears to praise the 7 October attack by Hamas.
... The post reads: "The scenes broadcast by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades showing a group of fighters storming an occupation army camp with simple means, balloons and motorcycles, prove beyond any doubt that Israel is not here to stay.
"Men like these prove that they are Allah's men on earth, regardless of who leads them, they are the true compass for men confident in their victory, even if their resources are few."

It also says his father is a surgeon... and that "Jihad" was his birth name.

I'm not sure where to begin processing all this information, if it's true. Quite surprised to find it reported by the BBC to be honest.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q7y72kppgo

What exactly are you implying with all your "quotes?"
What do you think is going on, OP?

He's described as a "35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent" who "was granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16" ... my maths is shit, but 2025 minus 2006 = 19.

35 minus 19 is 16

His parents, understandably, have made a strong statement distancing themselves from his actions, but the article goes on to say:

The BBC said his family realised a statement, so not necessarily both his parents

So his father is a Hamas supporter who named his son 'Jihad'. Kind of says it all, really.

Apparently he was "on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape at the time of the killings" but "was not charged with the offence."

isn't it normal to be on bail whilst awaiting a formal charge

I'm worried by the possibility that radical Islam is not limited to lunatic individuals in the UK, and that the processes for monitoring this are inadequate. I would stress that I am not talking AT ALL about the peace-loving Muslim community in the UK. But to be a surgeon here, post that sort of thing on Facebook, and call your child "Jihad" sounds a bit unsettling?

@clipboardz You're either worse at maths than me, or I'm even worse at it than I thought I was. I'm so bad at maths that I can't tell which!!!

Your maths is shit, yes 😆

He is 35 now in 2025 & was granted citizenship in 2006 when he was 16. 2025-2006=19, 35-19=16

Your maths is shit, yes

Yes

2025-2006 is 19, but all that signifies is that he was 16 years old 19 years ago.

If someone is 35 years old now, then 19 years ago (in 2006) they were 16.

Well it's just as bloody well I don't work as an accountant, isn't it 🫢

I just read the same BBC article and thought much of the same. I read what his father had said about his actions and was getting the impression that what he obviously believed and did as a result was a shock to them. Then I read about the verified comments his father made about Hamas. The two don't match in attitude. So now I don't believe the distancing is because of a fundamentally different approach, just a desire not to be publicly associated with such.

His fathers online posts praising the terrorists on October 7th have also been shared online and by another newspaper.

(edited to add another)

It's quite normal to quote the words used in a report. It isn't sarcasm, but literally a reference to the article...

I don’t know, I reckon some politicians might employ you!

Jihad is not an unusual name for arabs tbh

I didn't know that. Obviously I'd know it by now if I'd ever worked in finance!

I didn't know that, either. Hopefully it has a more benign meaning than the one we tend to associate with it!

These quotes are from the Father. Where is the Mother? It has been stated that there is a women in her 60’s who has been arrested. Please God I hope it isn’t what someone on various social media sites are saying.

Yes Jihad is apparently a name that is used by some cultures, Mahmood has just been called out on line about this. She said it was unusual. The person calling her out suggests it really isn’t and she would know this.

Jihad means internal spiritual struggle

Pull the other one 😂

It does, though, I've just been looking it up. The word, like the religion, has been corrupted by radical actors. Apparently it is "the spiritual and moral effort to overcome one's own ego, temptations, and harmful impulses" and is considered the most important form of jihad.

Then there is "jihad of the pen and tongue" (debating, teaching, and spreading Islamic values through peaceful means).

Then there is "lesser jihad" -- armed/physical struggle.

Happy to be corrected, I have just been educated at the instant university of Copilot... 😞

I have no problem with immigrant doctors. I'm just worried about how a surgeon who expresses pro-Hamas views like that might treat a Jewish patient. I was once deliberately mutilated by a surgeon, for no other reason than that he was a nutter, but the idea of someone wielding a scalpel who is driven by hatred of that kind makes my blood run cold.