CHRISTCHURCH: The Muslim call to prayer rang out over Christchurch and around New Zealand on Friday, as 1000's amassed to bear in mind the 50 folks killed by a lone gunman at two mosques every week in the past.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led an estimated five,000 folks standing quietly at Hagley Park in entrance of the Al Noor mosque, the place most of the victims died.
"New Zealand mourns with you. We are one," she mentioned in a brief speech, followed by two minutes of silence.
Most victims of New Zealand's worst mass taking pictures were migrants or refugees from international locations corresponding to Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
"We are broken-hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive, we are together, we are determined to not let anyone divide us," Imam Gamal Fouda told the amassed crowd, many dressed in headscarves in improve of the grieving Muslim community.
"To the families of the victims, your loved ones did not die in vain. Their blood has watered the seeds of hope," he mentioned in prayers broadcast nationally.
Ardern, who abruptly denounced the assault as terrorism, introduced a ban on military-style semi-automatic and assault rifles underneath difficult new gun rules on Thursday.
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a suspected white supremacist, has been charged with one murder following the Christchurch assault and was once remanded and not using a plea.
Tarrant is due back in court docket on April five, when police mentioned he was once more likely to face extra fees.
Islamophobia
Ardern, surrounded by ministers and security officials, wore a black scarf and a black suit. Female police on the park additionally wore headscarfs, with a purple rose on their frame suit.
In an impressive speech that lasted about 20 minutes, Imam Gamal mentioned through its love and compassion, New Zealand is unbreakable. He thanked Ardern for her compassion.
"It has been a lesson for world leaders," the Imam mentioned about the high minister.
"Thank you for holding our families close and honouring us with a simple scarf," he added.
He mentioned Islamophobia dehumanises Muslims, and called on the international to end hate speech and the politics of concern.
"Last week's event is proof and evidence to entire world that terrorism has no colour, race or religion. The rise of white supremacy is a great global threat to humanity and this must end now," he mentioned.
Thousands of folks amassed at mosques in Wellington, Auckland and different cities for the prayers, with many non-Muslims dressed in headscarves.
"We are wearing headscarves showing our support, love and solidarity, and hope that by everybody doing this it will demonstrate to Muslim women ... that they are one with us," mentioned Robyn Molony, 65, with a bunch of good friend dressed in headscarves at Hagley Park, the place they walked daily.
A #headscarfforharmony motion was once trending on Twitter.
Muslims account for simply over 1 percent of New Zealand's population, most of whom were born out of the country.
"We're not moving on. This grieving is going to take a long time," mentioned 52-year-old Christchurch resident Bell Sibly, who wore a scarf to show her improve.
"But what he's done, he was hoping to divide us, and instead, he's brought us all together in one big hug."
Burials of the victims begun on Wednesday, with a last mass burial expected after prayers on Friday.
Residents of Christchurch are nonetheless getting better from a devastating earthquake that hit in 2011, killing 185 and injured 1000's.
"Since the earthquakes, we’ve gone through a lot as a city and we’re a lot more caring and looking out for one another," mentioned James Sheehan, 62.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led an estimated five,000 folks standing quietly at Hagley Park in entrance of the Al Noor mosque, the place most of the victims died.
"New Zealand mourns with you. We are one," she mentioned in a brief speech, followed by two minutes of silence.
Most victims of New Zealand's worst mass taking pictures were migrants or refugees from international locations corresponding to Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
"We are broken-hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive, we are together, we are determined to not let anyone divide us," Imam Gamal Fouda told the amassed crowd, many dressed in headscarves in improve of the grieving Muslim community.
"To the families of the victims, your loved ones did not die in vain. Their blood has watered the seeds of hope," he mentioned in prayers broadcast nationally.
Ardern, who abruptly denounced the assault as terrorism, introduced a ban on military-style semi-automatic and assault rifles underneath difficult new gun rules on Thursday.
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a suspected white supremacist, has been charged with one murder following the Christchurch assault and was once remanded and not using a plea.
Tarrant is due back in court docket on April five, when police mentioned he was once more likely to face extra fees.
Islamophobia
Ardern, surrounded by ministers and security officials, wore a black scarf and a black suit. Female police on the park additionally wore headscarfs, with a purple rose on their frame suit.
In an impressive speech that lasted about 20 minutes, Imam Gamal mentioned through its love and compassion, New Zealand is unbreakable. He thanked Ardern for her compassion.
"It has been a lesson for world leaders," the Imam mentioned about the high minister.
"Thank you for holding our families close and honouring us with a simple scarf," he added.
He mentioned Islamophobia dehumanises Muslims, and called on the international to end hate speech and the politics of concern.
"Last week's event is proof and evidence to entire world that terrorism has no colour, race or religion. The rise of white supremacy is a great global threat to humanity and this must end now," he mentioned.
Thousands of folks amassed at mosques in Wellington, Auckland and different cities for the prayers, with many non-Muslims dressed in headscarves.
"We are wearing headscarves showing our support, love and solidarity, and hope that by everybody doing this it will demonstrate to Muslim women ... that they are one with us," mentioned Robyn Molony, 65, with a bunch of good friend dressed in headscarves at Hagley Park, the place they walked daily.
A #headscarfforharmony motion was once trending on Twitter.
Muslims account for simply over 1 percent of New Zealand's population, most of whom were born out of the country.
"We're not moving on. This grieving is going to take a long time," mentioned 52-year-old Christchurch resident Bell Sibly, who wore a scarf to show her improve.
"But what he's done, he was hoping to divide us, and instead, he's brought us all together in one big hug."
Burials of the victims begun on Wednesday, with a last mass burial expected after prayers on Friday.
Residents of Christchurch are nonetheless getting better from a devastating earthquake that hit in 2011, killing 185 and injured 1000's.
"Since the earthquakes, we’ve gone through a lot as a city and we’re a lot more caring and looking out for one another," mentioned James Sheehan, 62.
New Zealand prays, falls silent, a week after mosque massacres
![New Zealand prays, falls silent, a week after mosque massacres]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
March 22, 2019
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