Mosque turns blue for Children’s Day
The first time Sarah Qader visited Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque it was late at night.
It was during Ramadan, six years ago. She had arrived in the city only earlier that day with her family following a long-haul flight from Saudi Arabia.
‘‘There was a lot of food,’’ Qader remembers.
‘‘A spread of leftovers from the breaking of the fast.’’
In the six years since, Masjid Al Noor has continued to offer the family sustenance. Qader now works at the mosque as an intercultural facilitator. And the place of worship has provided the family with a sense of community, feelings of belonging and safety even in the wake of the shootings on March 15, in which 51 people lost their lives.
For three nights this week the Al Noor Mosque will look a little different. The minaret and dome will be lit blue to mark yesterday’s World Children’s Day.
Unicef New Zealand executive director Vivien Maidaborn said the organisation had worked with the Muslim community in Christchurch to light the mosque blue as ‘‘a symbol of unity’’.
‘‘It is a poignant reminder that all children have the right to be safe,’’ Maidaborn said.
Each year, on this day, Unicef turns the world blue for every child, illuminating iconic monuments and buildings around the world, as a way to symbolise nations and cultures coming together. Other New Zealand landmarks that will shine blue in support of children’s rights include the Porirua Te
Rauparaha Memorial, Wellington’s Carter Memorial Fountain and the Michael Fowler Centre.
This article was supplied as part of Stuff’s partnership with Unicef NZ. Find out more at unicef.org.nz.