Police escort witnesses away from a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, March 15, 2019. Multiple people were killed in mass shootings at two mosques full of people attending Friday prayers, as New Zealand police warned people to stay indoors as they tried to determine if more than one gunman was involved. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Jesus Wept: Terrorism in Christchurch

Farrukh Younus
15 March, 2019

Shocked Muslims

British Muslims have responded in shock:

“Another mindless terrorist attack” – Asifa H

 

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioun. Lost for words. Please do not share videos or images of the Christchurch attack out of respect for the families and victims. (I can’t believe we have to even say this)” – Zaheer K

 

“Shocking News from Newzealand “- Salman M

 

“Incredibly sad to hear that 40 people were killed by a gunman in NZ, defending “European lands”. He claims “European lands” as belonging to white people and totally ignores the history of colonisation etc. So sad…” – Nafisah GB

 

“He described his reasons for the disgusting attack as to “show the invaders that our lands will never be their lands, our homelands are our own and that, as long as a white man still lives, they will NEVER conquer our lands and they will never replace our people” …he said whilst standing on aboriginal / Mauri land” – Raheel S

 

“Inna lilahi wa inna ilahi raji’un.. (To God we belong to God we return). So so heartbreaking to hear this awful news ?During Jummah prayers! May those that died attain Jannat Al Firdous and those that are injured, recover. Ameen.

The world seems incredibly crazy.. ? What do people think they gain by killing innocents ??! Terrorism leads to more terrorism ; violence doesn’t solve anything!

Praying for peace in the world. We need unity.” – Noreen H

 

“::The shooting happened during the Friday prayers – a time when many Muslims gather for a weekly main congregation so would have been very busy. This would have included women and children potentially Witnesses said the shooting at the Al Noor mosque lasted for 20 minutes, with the gunman going from room to room. This was a planned coordinated attack motivated by racial and anti Muslim hatred” – Henna R

 

“It’s time to hold the right wing media to account. The global hate we are seeing for Muslims globally is akin to Nazi hate for Jews. Right wing media has been preying on this to push their own agenda and instigating this violence.” – Asif A

 

“Really sad day for Muslims in New Zealand and all over the world who have been targeted and killed by evil and sick minded terrorists who carry hatred towards others.

Prayers and thoughts with the victims and their families” – Shabnam S

 

“No words. So frightening. One of the shooters filmed it all live on Facebook and had a ‘manifesto’ which he published. Prayers to all those affected. Our hearts are in New Zealand. A very dark day for all of us ? ?” – Julie S

 

“inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Our prayers and love are with the community ?

When the politicians and media allow this hatred to continue against Muslim…“ – Khalid S

 

“The terrorist act and mass murder in New Zealand city is a legacy of colonialism.

Brenton Tarrant said he belonged “to a working class, low-income family … who decided to take a stand to ensure a future for my people” Of ‘white’ people.” Razwan F

 

“Stop the hate…In the name God country ego stop the hate” – Suniya Q

“What’s on my mind…all those affected by the appalling act of terrorism in NZ and also that Jacinda Arden gave a very strong response calling it out as terrorism, that New Zealand has strength in its diversity and rejects those who have that ideology.” – Humaira H

 

The very name of New Zealand’s third city, a church for Jesus, has become home to a far right terrorist and his sympathizers who cite white privilege and verses of the Bible to sidestep accountability and responsibility. It escapes all amongst the religious far right that Jesus himself was not actually ‘white’ and that Jesus’s message was one of love and kindness, not intimidation, abuse and blame.

It is for this reason that Jesus wept, for they call out in Jesus’s name but do not adopt the values and principles taught by Jesus.

As British actor and director David Schneider said, “Terrible news. Prejudice starts with words and tweets and the scapegoating and dehumanising language we see every day and ends like this. We must continue to fight against racism & Islamophobia and call it out. Solidarity to Muslims here and in New Zealand.”

 

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Muslims New Zealand terrorism Christchurch terrorist attack Christchurch mosque Shooting
About Farrukh Younus
Farrukh I Younus has a background in mobile phone strategy across Europe and Asia, and has visited China on more than 25 occasions. Dedicated to understanding and delivering solutions based on new technology, Younus has spoken on the subject to the EU in Brussels, and regularly attends industry-leading conferences. He currently runs a video platform, Implausibleblog, delivering lifestyle content via social media; where his focus is on understanding consumer behaviour with regards to digital content and digital advertising. His interests include travel, nouvelle cuisine, and chocolate.