Two weeks after the attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand has honored the 50 victims with a national commemoration ceremony. Thousands of people attended the ceremony in a park in Christchurch. Alongside New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose 28-year-old compatriot Brenton Tarrant had allegedly perpetrated the attack two weeks ago, were invited guests of state and faith representatives from another 58 countries.
Among other things, Ardern welcomed the Muslim community in Arabic and thanked her for „having opened their doors to all of us in the face of hatred and violence so that we could grieve with them – even though they had every right to express their anger“. All of New Zealand is now responsible for making the country „a place that is diverse, inviting, kind and compassionate,“ she said in her speech. „Racism exists, but it is not welcome here.“ The same applies to violence, extremism and attacks on religious freedom.
Mayor Dalziel: „Attack on all of us“
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel described the assassination as an „attack on us all“. The hate-driven act had the goal of dividing the New Zealanders. Instead, she „united us,“ said Dalziel.
The singer Yusuf Islam performed his song „Peace Train“. Known as Cat Stevens, the star converted to Islam in the 1970s and adopted the name Yusuf Islam.
22 injured still in hospitals
On Friday last week, the country had already recalled the victims with two minutes of silence.
The March 15 attack on two mosques in Christchurch caused international horror. Twenty-two injured are still treated in hospitals. The alleged perpetrator is in custody. He faces life imprisonment. There is no date for the start of the process.
