New Zealand broadcast the Islamic call to prayer nationwide Friday and observed two minutes of silence as the nation marked one week since a white supremacist terrorist attacked two mosques in Christchurch, killing 50 people. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, dressed in black and wearing a hijab, addressed mourners at a public park adjacent to the Al Noor Mosque where most of the victims of last week’s massacre were attacked during Friday prayers on March 15.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern: “The Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alaihi wasallam, said the believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain. New Zealand mourns with you. We are one.”
The New Zealand memorial was held as unknown assailants used sledgehammers to vandalize five mosques in the British city of Birmingham. Muslim groups say far-right extremists likely carried out the attacks.