'We are one,' says PM Ardern as New Zealand mourns with prayers, silence
March 22, 2019
CHRISTCHURCH: The Azaan rang out over Christchurch and around New Zealand on Friday, as thousands gathered to remember the 50 people killed by a lone gunman at two mosques a week ago.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led an estimated 5,000 people standing quietly at Hagley Park in front of the Al Noor Mosque, where most of the victims died.
The New Zealand Prime Minister in a short speech before the two minutes of silence read a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW): “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers pain.”
“New Zealand mourns with you. We are one,” she added.
Most victims of New Zealand’s worst mass shooting were migrants or refugees from countries such as 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 gathered crowd, many wearing headscarves in support 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 said in prayers broadcast nationally.
Ardern, who swiftly denounced the attack as terrorism, announced a ban on military-style semi-automatic and assault rifles under tough new gun laws on Thursday.
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a suspected white supremacist, has been charged with one murder following the Christchurch attack and was remanded without a plea.
Tarrant is due back in court on April 5, when police said he was likely to face more charges.
