'They Are Us' Kindred Kiwis Come Together

Arohanui Christchurch, We Embrace Love in the Face of Hate

It truly was, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says, the darkest of New Zealand’s days. But the country’s response to the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques, that claimed 50 lives, has shone a light on the compassion and kindness of Kiwis, and our determination that our country should be a peaceful, safe nation for people of all races and religions.

From emotional and spinetingling haka performances by everyone from school students to gang members, through to strangers joining forces to stand guard outside mosques during prayers, New Zealanders from all backgrounds have rallied around to show support for our Muslim community.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the country have attended vigils, lighting candles and saying prayers for those who lost their lives. They’ve laid flowers outside mosques, supplied home-cooked meals to families and offered to accompany anyone who doesn’t feel safe in public.

In Auckland, the Tongan Pulela’a Methodist Church in New Lynn paid its respects by taking its brass band to play outside Imran Reza Mosque. Students and staff at Orewa College, north of the city, showed their support by standing together to form a giant heart and spell out the words “kia kaha” – stay strong.

Muslims have spoken of being approached by strangers in the street or at their places of work and offered condolences and hugs.

And as the Weekly went to print, more than $10 million had been raised for victims of the attacks and their families.

The whole nation was in shock after the Australia-born gunman, who the Weekly will not name, went to the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch at 1.40pm on Friday, March 15 – when it was packed for Friday prayers – and opened fire on innocent people, killing 42.