- New Zealanders from across the country observed a national moment of silence exactly one week after a shooting in Christchurch claimed the lives of 50 people.
- The two minutes of silence began at 1:32 p.m. local time on Friday, following the Muslim call to prayer, which was broadcast on television and radio stations around the country.
- Thousands of people gathered in Hagley Park for the prayers. The park is located directly across from the Al Noor mosque where 43 people were killed. Seven people were killed at the nearby Linwood mosque.
- See moving photos from the moment of silence.
New Zealanders from across the country observed a national moment of silence exactly one week after a shooting in Christchurch claimed the lives of 50 people.
The two minutes of silence began at 1:32 p.m. local time on Friday, following the Muslim call to prayer, which was broadcast on television and radio stations around the country. Friday prayer services commenced shortly after.
Thousands of people gathered in Hagley Park for the prayers. The park is located directly across from the Al Noor mosque where 43 people were killed. Seven people were killed at the nearby Linwood mosque. Mourners formed human chains around Muslim worshippers, and some women wore headscarves in solidarity.
Yesterday, New Zealand announced new sweeping gun laws and a ban on assault weapons.
Thousands of people from across New Zealand came to Christchurch to show their support.
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Thousands of worshippers in Christchurch’s Hagley Park for Friday prayers pic.twitter.com/n3RP1L1XAw
Fahim Imam from Auckland, New Zealand told the Associated Press that he flew in for the service that morning.
"It’s just amazing to see how the country and the community have come together — blows my mind, actually," he said.
"The moment I landed in Christchurch, I could feel the love here. I’ve never felt more proud to be a Muslim, or a Kiwi for that matter. It makes me really happy to be able to say that I’m a New Zealander," he added.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Christchurch for the third time since the shooting, and she and was present for the services.
"The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain," Ardern told the crowd, quoting the Muslim Prophet Mohammed.
"New Zealand mourns with you, we are one," she added.
Crowds stood in silence as the call to prayer began.
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The call to prayer echoes over Christchurch a week after the twin mosque massacre by a white supremacist. A remarkable sight and a powerful rebuke to the hatred unleashed that day pic.twitter.com/SsqNvQsfa6
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