Christchurch muslims attend Friday prayers ahead of one year mass shooting anniversary
Record ID:
1463788
Christchurch muslims attend Friday prayers ahead of one year mass shooting anniversary
- Title: Christchurch muslims attend Friday prayers ahead of one year mass shooting anniversary
- Date: 13th March 2020
- Summary: CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (MARCH 13, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MUSLIM WORSHIPPERS STANDING OUTSIDE OF HORNCASTLE ARENA POLICE OFFICERS OUTSIDE ARENA PERSON BEING CHECKED BY SECURITY BEFORE GOING INTO ARENA (SOUNDBITE) (English) MUSLIM WORSHIPPER FROM AUSTRALIA, SHAZIL REHMAN, SAYING: "There are a lot of broken hearts, there's a lot of healing taking place. From what I understood over the past week interacting with a lot of the victims, there are a lot of stories still left unsaid and there is a lot of pain and the community is still shattered, to be honest. However, there is a lot of healing, a lot of positive stories coming out as well." MUSLIM WORSHIPPERS WALKING INTO PRAYER SERVICE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MUSLIM WORSHIPPER, TAJ MOHAMMAD KAMRAN, SAYING: "The message was very simple, it was that we need to be positive and move on, and give back to the community, just like how the world gave back to us. Not just monetarily, or financially but in a positive way. Charity means offering by a smile, and by offering kindness and just showing love in a world that is bereft of love." POLICE OFFICERS AT ARENA AS WORSHIPPERS WALK IN
- Embargoed: 27th March 2020 04:48
- Keywords: Christchurch New Zealand mosque prayer shootings
- Location: CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
- City: CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
- Country: New Zealand
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA001C4VVDC7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Christchurch residents and shooting survivors attended a community prayer on Friday (March 13), paying tribute to the victims of an attack on two mosques last year that killed 51 people and injured dozens of others.
"There are a lot of broken hearts…the community is still shattered" worshipper Shazil Rehman told Reuters as hundreds of Muslims attended the prayer ceremony at an indoor stadium in Christchurch.
Abdul Aziz, who was hailed for trying to stop the shooter said the March 15 event last year changed people and "there's a lot of love and respect from the whole community and around the world."
Inside, worshippers listened to a speech by widower Farid Ahmed and prayed during the Juma service.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern watched on as the Imam of Al Noor Mosque Gamal Fouda performed a sermon. She had earlier said the Sunday (March 15) event to remember the victims was still scheduled to go ahead in the South Island's largest city.
Officials have stepped up security for the memorial events, which are expected to be attended by thousands, after a new threat was reported last week against Al Noor mosque.
An Australian national, faces 92 charges in relation to the attacks on Al Noor and Linwood mosques that killed 51 people and injured many more. He has pleaded not guilty and faces trial in June.
(Production: Stefica Nicol Bikes, James Redmayne) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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