Mosques in New Zealand and around the world have been inundated with floral tributes and messages of support after a massacre in Christchurch in which 49 Muslims were killed.
The strongest response from the public was in New Zealand, which is reeling in the wake of the worst peacetime mass killing in the nation’s history.
Unable to reach the mosques that were targeted by the shooter because of a cordon, people left piles of flowers and cards as close as they were allowed to go.
Flowers were laid outside a mosque in Wellington where members of the public also drew messages of support on the footpath in chalk.
Just dropped off some flowers at Kilbirnie Mosque. There is so, so much love here right now - the flowers, hugs and messages of support keep coming in droves. Aroha nui, New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/YWrcRw75lH
— 💫 lucy 'leon's wife' morris 🔜 #notGDC 💫 (@lucyamorris) March 16, 2019
There were similar scenes outside mosques in Auckland, the nation’s biggest city.
Floral tributes at the gate of the Al Masjid al Jamie mosque in Ponsonby, Auckland have been arriving since yesterday.
— RNZ (@radionz) March 15, 2019
One man laying flowers this morning, Richard, says it was a way of saying 'we are thinking of you and we are one'. pic.twitter.com/hWP2QHqafn
The outpouring of support for the Muslim community was so large that outside some mosques there was nowhere for well-wishers to park. Some messages read: “We love you”, “We are one” and “Forever changed”.
New Zealanders around the country have shown up at mosques en masse to show their support. Impossible at some places to get a park apparently.
— Melissa Davey (@MelissaLDavey) March 15, 2019
In Australia, the response to the massacre was similarly heartfelt, with tributes pouring into mosques across the country.
Joined others in leaving flowers and messages of support at the local mosque in Canberra, Australia. #NZTerrorAttack #christchurchmosqueshootings #masjidalnoor pic.twitter.com/HlSPkp14JP
— Dr Jennifer S. Hunt (@Dr_JenHunt) March 15, 2019
Makeshift memorials are also popping up at mosques here in Australia.
— ABC Brisbane (@abcbrisbane) March 16, 2019
Here people have laid flowers outside the Lutwyche Mosque ♥
📸: Donna Field pic.twitter.com/wcciQ4X6gm
Bouquets of flowers, some accompanied with touching messages, adorn the fence of Lakemba Mosque in Sydney. pic.twitter.com/OdQYIR5y0g
— Sarah McPhee (@_SarahMcPhee) March 16, 2019
Others offered support of a different kind.
An open offer to any Muslim man, woman or child. If you are fearful about walking through the gates of your mosque, let me know and I’ll happily walk with you. Because your ability to practice your faith is as important as it is for me to practice mine.
— Philip Dalidakis MP (@philipdalidakis) March 15, 2019
The outpouring of support continued in America where people also left candles outside mosques.
More flowers and candles left outside Idris Mosque in Seattle in response to mass shooting at New Zealand mosque. Tomorrow Idris is holding a previously scheduled “Cup of Tea Get to know your Muslim Neighbor” event at 4:00. pic.twitter.com/cZKPBe3lef
— John Hopperstad (@JohnHopperstad) March 15, 2019
It was heartening to see the support for Vancouver’s Muslim community today walking by Al-Masjid Al-Jamia Mosque. The flowers have been piling up today in response to #NZTerrorAttack Vancouverites stand with our Muslim friends, family, co-workers and neighbours ❤️ pic.twitter.com/z283DAA6db
— Wes Regan (@411Regan) March 15, 2019
Muslim places of worship in Canada also saw tributes.
Flowers and an overflow crowd at Vancouver's oldest mosque @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/1Lxe4v9PDS
— Jordan Armstrong (@jarmstrongbc) March 16, 2019
In Britain, solidarity was also on show.
As we opened the #Cambridge Central Mosque doors today, a young man from #NewZealand came by to express how upset he was by the horrific attack in #Christchurch. He broke down in tears, gave us flowers and a beautiful note of support. We will always stand in solidarity. ♥ pic.twitter.com/eHg7jnjWJU
— Ibrahim Rahman (@ihrahman) March 15, 2019
This lady walked into a Mosque in #Rotherham to give flowers to Muslims after the terrorist attack in New Zealand. One love and one humanity #newzealandterroristattack pic.twitter.com/f7cxj2kpth
— Mohammed Shafiq (@mshafiquk) March 15, 2019
Outside a mosque in Manchester today... pic.twitter.com/m3CeaBTgEg
— BBC Radio Manchester (@BBCRadioManc) March 15, 2019
• Crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day. In New Zealand, the crisis support service Lifeline can be reached on 0800 543 354. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Irish Republic, contact Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
