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Axios
Axios
World
Rebecca Falconer

New Zealand honors attack victims with Islamic prayer, 2 minutes' silence.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attends a gathering at Hagley Park in Christchurch as part of a national day of reflection. Photo: MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images

One week from the Christchurch terrorist attack, New Zealanders are coming together in a national day of reflection to remember those who died while worshipping inside 2 mosques in the South Island city.

Details: Just before 1:30 pm Friday local time (8:30 pm Thursday Eastern), the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, rang out across the country's TV and radio airwaves before people around the country gathered at vigils observed 2 minutes of silence. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addressed the crowd saying: "New Zealand mourns with you. We are one." The events coincided with the Friday prayer, the Jumu'ah.


Addressing the congregation at Haggley Park, Al Noor Mosque Imam Gamal Fouda said:

"This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart ... Instead, we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable ... we are brokenhearted, but we are not broken. We are alive, we are together, we are determined to not let anyone divide us.
This evil ideology of white supremacy did not strike us first, but it struck us hardest ... but the solidarity in New Zealand is extraordinary. To the families of the victims, your loved ones did not die in vein. Their blood has watered the seeds of hope.
They are not just martyrs of Islam, but they are martyrs of this nation, New Zealand. Our loss of you is a gain to New Zealand's unity and strength. Our assembly here, with all the shades of diversity is a testimony to our join humanity. We are here in our hundreds and thousands unified for one purpose: that hate will be undone and love will redeem us."
Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images
  • Across the country, thousands of people held vigils to remember the Christchurch mosque attack victims. In, Auckland 4 mosques opened their doors to all New Zealanders. As a result, many non-Muslims attended Friday prayers there.
  • Following afternoon prayers at 4 pm local time, a combined funeral service was being held for 26 people killed victims.
  • New Zealand police anticipate several thousand people to attend a vigil at the Auckland Domain at 6 pm — the oldest park in the country's most populous city.

Driving the news: In support of the Muslim community as they mourn the loss of 50 lives, New Zealanders — men and women — were encouraged to participate in the Headscarf for Harmony movement on Friday.

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