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NEW ZEALANDERS UNITED today in reflecting on the moment one week ago when 50 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques were killed, with an imam telling the crowd of thousands that it had left the country broken-hearted but not broken.
People across New Zealand listened to the call to prayer on live broadcasts while thousands, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, gathered in leafy Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor mosque, where 42 people died.
“New Zealand mourns with you. We are one,” Ardern said.
The call to prayer was observed at 1.30 p.m local time (12.30am Irish time) and followed by two minutes of silence. Hundreds of Muslim men at the park sat in socks or bare feet. One man in the front row was in a Christchurch Hospital wheelchair.
The Al Noor mosque’s imam, Gamal Fouda, thanked New Zealanders for their support.
“This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart with an evil ideology… But, instead, we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable,” the imam said.
“We are broken-hearted but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us,” he added, as the crowd the city estimated at 20,000 people erupted with applause.
Later in the day, a mass funeral was held to bury 26 of the victims at a cemetery where more than a dozen already have been laid to rest.
Family members took turns passing around shovels and wheelbarrows to bury their loved ones. Today’s burials included the youngest victim, 3-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim.
Solidarity
Christchurch native Fahim Imam, 33, returned to the city for today’s service. He moved away three years ago and now lives in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.
“It’s just amazing to see how the country and the community have come together — blows my mind, actually,” Imam said before the event.
When he got off the plane this morning, he saw someone holding a sign that said “jenaza,” denoting Muslim funeral prayer. He said others were offering free lifts to and from the prayer service.
“The moment I landed in Christchurch, I could feel the love here. I’ve never felt more proud to be a Muslim, or a Kiwi for that matter. It makes me really happy to be able to say that I’m a New Zealander,” Imam said.
He called it surreal to see the mosque where he used to pray surrounded by flowers.
The observance comes the day after the government announced a ban on “military-style” semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines like the weapons that were used in last Friday’s attacks at the Al Noor and nearby Linwood mosques.
An immediate sales ban went into effect yesterday to prevent stockpiling, and new laws would be rushed through Parliament that would impose a complete ban on the weapons, Ardern said.
“Every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned,” Ardern said.
The gun legislation is supported not only by Ardern’s liberal Labour Party but also the conservative opposition National Party, so it’s expected to pass into law.
‘Stronger than before’
Among those planning to attend today’s observance was Samier Dandan, the president of the Lebanese Muslim Association in Sydney and part of a 15-strong delegation of Muslim leaders that had flown to Christchurch.
“It was an ugly act of terrorism that occurred in a beautiful, peaceful city,” Dandan said.
He said his pain couldn’t compare with that of the families he’d been visiting who had lost loves ones. He was inspired by their resilience, he said.
“And I’ve got to give all my respect to the New Zealand prime minister, with her position and her actions, and it speaks loud,” he said.
Ismat Fatimah, 46, said it was sad to look at the Al Noor mosque, which was still surrounded by construction barricades, armed police officers and a huge mound of flowers and messages.
“We’re feeling stronger than before, and we are one,” she said.
She said she prayed for the people who died.
“I’m just imagining what would be happening last Friday,” she said. “People were running around so scared and helpless. It’s just not right.”
Erum Hafeez, 18 said she felt comforted by the overwhelming response from New Zealanders: “We are embraced by the community of New Zealand, we are not left behind and alone.”
The Al Noor mosque’s imam said workers have been toiling feverishly to repair the destruction, some of whom offered their services for free. Fouda expects the mosque to reopen by next week.
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I was present there today . I have lived in New Zealand for 9 years and I have never seen compassion and unity come together between religions so quickly than in the last week. The shooter has created the opposite intended effect . Well done Christchurch.
@Tom Feehan: cannot imagine the horror and shock. New Zealand, its PM and the people, have shown the world how to react to such a barbaric act.
Terrible attack on innocent people.
it is a shame that the Muslim leaders and religious leaders and their follows don’t react to attacks carried out by Muslim terrorists in the western world and other parts of the world in the same way as we are seeing in new-zealand.
@Sean Ryan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/11/muslims-hand-3000-roses-london-bridge-show-solidarity-terror/
And there have been other times.
But here’s the thing, are you Irish “Catholic”? Did you apologise when the IRA did something?
Or if a white man commits an atrocity, I assume you’re white?
Why is it ALL Muslims are somehow responsible for the reprehensible acts a minuscule number of those that claim allegiance to Islam commit?
Are you Christian? Do you tell people how sorry you are when some Christian nutter kills an Abortion Clinic Doctor? Do you expect all Priests to?
I’m betting you don’t go around condemning things publicly because there is a tangential link to something you believe in. And yet, apparently, it’s what Muslims have to do (even though MILLIONS of them are in no way responsible)
@Sean Ryan: did the irony of still having the French flag on your thumbnail completely escape you while making your point?
@Bob Earner: Nah, like most racists, he’s all about “one rule for them, and a different one for us”
@Sean Ryan: They do, Google is your friend.
Previous Comments all deleted. Democracy at its best
@David Gannon: “Democracy”?
What!?
This is not a state funded newspaper, they’ve the absolute right to determine what is permitted and what is not permitted.
And I think you really meant “free speech” and not “democracy”, right?
And btw “free speech” doesn’t cover a private website, it applies to the state censuring you.
Honestly the whinging from people that think they’ve a “right” to a platform. Sheesh!
@David Gannon: BTW – I read your comments yesterday. Your “whataboutery” is vile.
I’m delighted you’re not being allowed a platform here.
Go stand on a street corner and “speak your truth” but I should remind you “freedom of speech isn’t freedom from consequences”
@David Gannon: Probably because your views are deeply offensive? Delighted people like you are monitored and moderated.
@David Gannon: you didn’t read the Ts&Cs did you? Just like you didn’t read the article you posted yesterday. It was actually very funny, the article first proved you wrong and then insulted you for deliberately mischaracterising.
@David Gannon: What are you on about you clown? The stupidity on this site amazes me sometimes.
@Bob Earner: so many snowflakes on this site.
@Paul Whitehead: I said nothing offensive. I have a different opinion then you snowflakes and that’s the only reason mine and others comments are removed
@SidNolan: I offer a different opinion on a subject and the snowflakes like your self have a go and whinge.
@David Gannon: We get it David, your views on the attack are fairly clear. When you’re proved wrong it’s pretty funny to see you act like a child though
@David Gannon: The irony of your use of the phrase “snowflake” isn’t lost on anyone, you understand that, right?
Though I suspect irony really isn’t your strong suit.
@David Gannon: as you proved yesterday your ability to understand the complexity of a situation is hindered by your closed mind. Your opinions are formed from headlines and the facts don’t matter. Don’t you get tired being a puppet regurgitating the cr@p you’re being fed. Take a closer look at New Zealand and then decide whether you want to live in a fractured society, or one that works on what we have in common and isn’t paralysed by fear.
Hell will freeze over before the reverse comes true.
@Jane Alford: Luckily the people of NZ don’t think like you
@Jane Alford: what do you mean by that?
@Jane Alford: there has been plenty of Muslim opposition to Islamic terrorism.
@Ashish Uday Lal: Still sniping from the sidelines!
@Dave O’Keeffe: You are deluded if you believe that!
@Dave Byrne: Despite thousands of Christians and other religions massacred by Muslims, including those converting from Islam, there has never been one ounce of support or sorrow demonstrated by those of the Muslim faith.
@Jane Alford: possibly the most idiotic comment yet. Knuckledragger stuff on an article about a mass funeral for 26 civilians that were murdered in cold blood.
@Jane Alford: are you brain washed or just thick?
If this was a shooting at a church, it would be forgotten about by now, I’d even go as far and say if it was a school shooting it would be forgotten about by now.
@Kavo: In NZ!? That’s a flat out LIE and you know it.
@Bob Earner: no, it’s an opinion, which I’m in titled to.
@Kavo: entitled*
@Kavo: Ah the “I’m entitled to my opinion” whinge when you’re fully aware you can’t defend your opinion from criticism.
Completely ignoring the fact that no said you weren’t and also forgetting that I’m also entitled to point out that your opinion demonstrates your bias and bigotry.
Works both ways there snowflake.
@Kavo: entitled to an opinion about what? What is your point? Are you affected that there’s an article on a mass funeral for 26 of the 49 victims that were murdered by a cowardly right wing lunatic last week? Or is it more of a religious thing and you think we’re showing too much sympathy for a different faith? You think we wouldn’t be talking about it anymore(we would of course) if it was at a Christian church?
@Bob Earner: how is telling the truth bigotry?
@Kavo: No it wouldn’t. You’re a liar.
@Kavo: There was the same outrage and grief at the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
@Kavo: I said you revealed yourself as a bigot with your claim.
Your deflections are weak.
@Kavo: I very much doubt people have forgotten Sandy Hook, Columbine, Virginia Tech, Parkland Florida, Santa Fe, Tree of Life Synagogue, Charleston Church, the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, the Las Vegas, Orlando nightclub, Sutherland Springs…the list goes on but there are just so many in the US it is, indeed, hard to remember all of them but people don’t forget those with particularly high murder rates. Of course you are entitled to your opinion but opinion isn’t fact.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all . White supremacy is not perceived as normal by any free thinking and caring person . God gave us just two wishes love thy god and love thy neighbor . I cannot understand how hard that is for some people . Please give these families the strength and courage to carry on .
@Peter Buchanan: They don’t want to know about this, doesn’t suit the narrative.
@Josh Hanners: Narrative?? If it was Hutu and Tutsi tribes killing each other in Africa you wouldn’t be on here banging your drum now would ya … So who’s got the narrative?
@Pablo: Calm down and take your tablets, you’ll be alright.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all . God gave us just two wishes love thy god and love each other . I cannot understand how hard that is for some people . Please give these families the strength and courage to carry on .
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all . God gave us just two wishes love thy god and love thy neighbour . I cannot understand how hard that is for some people . Please give these families the strength and courage to carry on .
A three year old boy murdered. He and 49 other newzeeland people buried. What inhuman times we live in.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all . God gave us just two wishes love thy god and love thy neighbors. I cannot understand how hard that is for some people . Please give these families the strength and courage to carry on .
Everyone deflecting on these comments with the whataboutery doesn’t care one ounce for Muslims’ lives and are probably just afraid to state their true feelings that they support the killer.
have your say