The Fruits of Bigotry: Bloodshed in New Zealand
Without doubt or hesitation, New Zealand’s highest civilian award for valor should be given to the incredibly brave, unarmed young Muslim man who sacrificed his own life by rushing at the unspeakably heinous white-supremacist terrorist who murdered 50 people — including tiny tots, women and the elderly (“Hatebook live,” March 16).
As a stark contrast, Australian Sen. Fraser Anning should be widely condemned for the insensitivity and timing of his comments on the massacre. Howard Hutchins Victoria, Australia
“To God we belong, and to him shall we all return.” The Koran teaches us Muslims to say this phrase when any tragedy happens. My heart is bleeding over the mosque massacre of my brothers and sisters in New Zealand.
Whenever there is a shooting at a place of worship, whether a church, Jewish synagogue or other temple, my heart always yells, “These people just came to worship God. Why were they murdered?” Nameer Bhatti Blue Bell, Pa.
This was not just an attack on innocent Muslims but on all humanity. All religions are at risk whenever some fanatic decides to launch an attack against those of various faiths.
Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Shintoists and others are all in danger as long as there are those who are consumed with such hatred.
The world has become increasingly more unsafe, and something needs to be done about these horrific attacks. All civilized nations need to fight the scourge of terrorism.
Our support for the people of New Zealand will always be there, and our deepest sympathies go out to all of those families of the Muslims who were killed by this deranged psychopath. John Amato Fresh Meadows
The murder of 50 people by a shooter in New Zealand targeting a mosque is a tragedy.
In this case, the shooter filmed his evil. I do not believe it should be left up to news outlets to determine what viewers see.
Give us fair warning of what we are about to view, allowing those who don’t want to look to turn away. But in order for people to believe and respond properly, they need to see the truth — the real, hard, gutwrenching facts. Viewers should not be treated as children. Show us the truth. Robert Henry Palm City, Fla.
The New Zealand shooter, the South Carolina shooter, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter and the Norwegian shooter are all alive and well and getting what they expected when they planned and perpetrated their horrors.
When do we finally face the fact that we do nothing to disincentivize these vermin? They will enjoy the rest of their lives, satisfied that they made their point and can look forward to inevitable future attacks. Prison is just the cost of doing business.
And we actually give them the presumption of innocence? They deserve not one day on this earth. Paul Zipstein Brooklyn
With the wounds of Christchurch still fresh for Muslims like myself, the Utrecht shooting reignites the pain of senseless violence (“Tram carnage,” March 19). The underlying cause of these two tragedies does not stem from any religion or identity, but from hatred.
While the government of New Zealand has done an outstanding job in its efforts to tackle systemic issues that led to the tragedy of Christchurch, we must work as a society to address the overarching malady of discrimination that breeds hatred. Blaming any one group for these heart-wrenching, violent attacks fails to provide any solution. Zane Chowdhry Washington, DC
There was arrogance at the New York University vigil for New Zealand massacre victims.
It was thoughtful of Chelsea Clinton and Donald Trump Jr. to reflect the sadness of all Americans after this tragedy. How unAmerican that some felt it was only a time for Muslim mourning.
We sympathize with the victims of this violence. Anyone who does not understand this is part of the problem. Elaine DeCrosta Marlboro