Catholic Church Welcomed Families of Hostages of Beth Israel Synagogue and Community Joins in Prayer after Release

On January 15, 2022, 44-year-old gunman Malik Faisal Akram, a British citizen, took four people hostage in the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, United States during Sabbath services. During hostage negotiations, Akram demanded that Aafia Siddiqui be released from prison. He released one hostage after six hours, while the remaining three hostages escaped his control eleven hours into the standoff. Tactical officers from an FBI Hostage Rescue Team then fatally shot Akram after they entered the synagogue. Akram entered Congregation Beth Israel by posing as a homeless man seeking shelter and was made a cup of tea by Rabbi Cytron-Walker. Congregation Beth Israel is a Reform Jewish synagogue located in Colleyville, Texas, a suburb 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Fort Worth in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Congregation Beth Israel opened a synagogue of its own in 2004. (See Prayer service video below) (Excerpt Edited from Wikipedia - Image CCC)

Families of the Congregation Beth Israel hostages stayed at Good Shepherd Catholic Church for hours as the situation unfolded.

Father Michael Higgins was with them as they watched the Facebook live and when they finally heard their loved ones were safe

Full story at 10 on @wfaa pic.twitter.com/UOLJV4yFo6

— William Joy (@WilliamJoy) January 17, 2022

 

We thank God for the safety of the members of Beth Israel in Texas. Thanks also for the successful work of those public safety officials. We stand with our Jewish neighbors as they confront violence. May all who suffer hatred in their places of worship know of our prayers. +WDG

— Wilton Cardinal Gregory (@WashArchbishop) January 16, 2022