THE Muslim call to prayer sounded out over Christchurch and around New Zealand today, as thousands gathered to remember the 50 people killed by a lone gunman at two mosques a week ago.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined about 20,000 people standing quietly at Hagley Park, in front of the Al Noor mosque where most of the victims were killed during Friday prayers last week.
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Visitors look on as Muslims attend Friday prayers in a park near Al Noor mosqueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Muslims offer Friday prayer led by Gamal Fouda, imam of tragedy-stricken Al Noor mosque
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People hold placards after a Muslim prayer service and two minute’s silence for twin mosque massacre victims in a park near the Al Noor Mosque in ChristchurchCredit: AFP or licensors
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Muslims answer the call to pray at Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor Mosque
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People attend a prayer at Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor Mosque
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Members of the public look on during a gathering for congregational Friday prayers and two minutes of silence
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New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves after the Friday prayers at Hagley Park outside Al-Noor mosqueCredit: Reuters
She said in a short speech: “New Zealand mourns with you. We are one,” followed by two minutes of silence.
Fifty victims died in the shootings at two Christchurch mosques after a lone attacker opened fire during Friday prayers.
The main suspect, Australian Brenton Tarrant, has been charged with one murder following the Christchurch attack and was remanded without a plea.
The gunman live-streamed the attack for 17-minutes before posting it on Facebook, along with a 74-page manifesto of hate.
Ardern, who swiftly denounced the shooting as terrorism, has announced a ban on military-style semi-automatic and assault rifles.
The country is under heightened security alert since the attack, and police said on Friday they were investigating a threat made against Ardern on Twitter.
COUNTRY IN MOURNING
He is due back in court on April 5, when police said he was likely to face more charges.
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.
Imam Gamal Fouda told the crowd at the Al Noor mosque, many wearing headscarves in support of the grieving Muslim community: “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 said in prayers broadcast nationally: “To the families of the victims, your loved ones did not die in vain. Their blood has watered the seeds of hope.”
TWO MINUTE SILENCE
Tens of thousands of people paid their respects around the country with some forming human chains in front of mosques.
Others said silent prayers at schools, cafes and even offices.
Relatives and other mourners thronged into a Christchurch cemetery where 26 victims of the attack, and one person who died in a car crash that was unrelated to the mosque shooting, were laid to rest in a mass burial.
One mourner said over a microphone, referring to an Islamic funeral prayer: “This is a special janazah. We don’t do these every day.”
They added: “We don’t bury 27 of our brothers and sisters every day.”
We don’t bury 27 of our brothers and sisters every day
A Muslim mournerin Christchurch today
The first to be laid to rest was Naeem Rashid, who was hailed as a hero, killed trying to tackle the gunman at the Al Noor mosque.
Ardern, surrounded by ministers and security officials at Hagley Park, wore a black headscarf and a black suit.
Female police at the park also wore headscarves, with a red rose on their uniforms.
In a powerful speech that lasted about 20 minutes, the imam, Fouda, said through its love and compassion, New Zealand was unbreakable.
He said: “We are here in our hundreds and thousands unified for one purpose that hate will be undone, and love will redeem us.”
He thanked Ardern for her compassion, saying: “It has been a lesson for world leaders.”
Fouda also denounced Islamophobia, saying it had killed people.
He said: “Islamophobia is real. It is a targeted campaign to influence people to dehumanise and irrationally fear Muslims.
“To fear what we wear, to fear the choice of food we eat, to fear the way we pray and to fear the way we practice our faith.”
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A family member hugs a policeman during a burial ceremony for victims of the mosque attacks, at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch
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Local residents with head scarfs gather for the call to prayer and the moments silence at Masjid Umar mosque in AucklandCredit: AFP or licensors
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Local residents with head scarfs listen to sermons by the Imam during a call to prayer and moments of silence at Masjid Umar mosque in AucklandCredit: AFP or licensors
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Friday prayers at Hagley Park outside Al-Noor mosque today
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Students from Punchbowl Boys High School perform a haka after Friday prayers at Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque in Sydney
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A Muslim man and another local perform a traditional Maori ‘hongi’ greeting during a gathering for congregational Friday prayersCredit: AFP or licensors
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Jacinda Ardern gestures as she departs following a gathering for congregational Friday prayers and two minutes of silence for victims of the twin mosque massacreCredit: Reuters
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A police officer hugs a Muslim mourner during a funeral ceremony at the Memorial Park in ChristchurchCredit: AFP or licensors
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Flowers are laid on and around the fence of Al Noor mosqueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Thousands of New Zealanders gathered in Christchurch today to honour the 50 Muslim worshippers killed one week ago by a white supremacistCredit: AFP or licensorsNew Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces ban of all ‘military style semi-automatic weapons’ and assault rifles after Christchurch mosque attack
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Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: newstars.edu.vn