‘BROKEN-HEARTED’ BUT STAYING STRONG
NEW N Zealand was broken-hearted bro but not n broken by the terrorist ter attack that killed 50 people, p the imam whose prayers praye were interrupted by b gunfire has told the thousands who gathered to mourn the dead. People across the country observed the Islamic call to prayer yesterday as the nation reflected on the moment one week before when 50 people were slaughtered and another 50 wounded at two mosques in Christchurch.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined the thousands gathered in Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor mosque, where most of the victims died, to observe the call to prayer at 1.30pm.
“We are broken-hearted, but we are not broken,” Al Noor mosque Imam Gamal Fouda told the crowd.
“We are alive, we are together, we are determined not to let anyone divide us.”
The imam, who was leading Friday prayers at Al Noor when a lone gunman attacked on March 15, told of what happened on that fateful day and what it meant today.
“Last Friday I stood in this mosque and saw hatred and rage in the eyes of the terrorist who killed and martyred 50 innocent people, wounded 42 and broke the hearts of millions around the world,” he said.
“Today, from the same place, I look out and I see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders and human beings from across the globe that fill the hearts of millions more who are not with us physically, but in spirit.”
His words were met with prayer and applause from the more than 1000 Muslims who attended the regular Friday prayers.
Neither the Al Noor mosque nor the Linwood Mosque, the scene of the second shooting, could be re-opened in time for weekly prayers on the most sacred day of the week in Islam.
Instead, thousands of locals, visitors and 30 foreign dignitaries came to support the Muslim community and survivors.