Citizens Observe Muslim Prayer as NZ Mourns Terror Attack
People across New Zealand observed the Muslim call to prayer Friday, as they mourned the Christchurch terror attack.
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In a day without precedent, people across New Zealand observed the Muslim call to prayer on Friday, 22 March, as the nation reflected on the moment one week ago when 50 people were slaughtered at two mosques.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and thousands of others congregated at leafy Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch to observe the call to prayer at 1:30 pm.
‘New Zealand is Unbreakable’
Thousands more were listening in on the radio or watching on television as the event was broadcast live. The prayer was followed by two minutes of silence.
Officials laid out a large area of light brown carpeting where hundreds of Muslim men sat in socks or bare feet readying for the prayer. 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.
Free Rides To And From Service
Fahim Imam (33), of Auckland, flew in on Friday morning from New Zealand's largest city for the service. He was born and grew up in Christchurch but moved away three years ago.
"It's just amazing to see how the country and the community have come together — blows my mind, actually," Imam said before the event.
"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," he added.
He called it surreal to see the mosque where he used to pray surrounded by flowers.
New Zealand Govt Bans Semi-automatic Weapons
At least 42 people died at the Al Noor mosque and seven others at the nearby Linwood mosque after a white supremacist gunned them down.
An immediate sales ban went into effect on Thursday to prevent stockpiling, and new laws would be rushed through Parliament that would impose a complete ban on the weapons, 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. New Zealand does not have a constitutional right to bear arms.
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Among those planning to attend Friday'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.
He said his pain couldn't compare with that of the families he'd been visiting who had lost their loved ones. He was inspired by their resilience, 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.
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 working feverishly to repair the destruction, some of whom offered their services for free. The Al Noor mosque's imam, Gamal Fouda, expects the mosque to be open again by next week.
(This copy was published in arrangement with Associated Press)
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