CHRISTCHURCH – Jumma prayer was broadcast live on State Radio and Television across the country to express solidarity with those martyred in terrorist attack in Christchurch last Friday in New Zealand.
A muezzin in white skullcap issued the call to regular Friday prayer at 1.30 pm (0030 GMT) with chants of “Allahu Akhbar” (God is greatest) as thousands listened in Christchurch s Hagley Park across from the Al Noor Mosque.
The country then fell silent for two minutes, with public gatherings in Auckland, Wellington and other cities.
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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also joined thousands of people gathered at Hagley Park in front of the Al-Noor Mosque in Christchurch.
In her brief speech to the Jumma congregation, which was also attended by women wearing headscarves, she said New Zealand mourns with you. We are one.
Jacinda Ardern also read out a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW). Her speech was followed by two minutes silence.
The Imam of the Mosque, Imam Fouda, in his Jumma (Friday) sermon said we are broken-hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive, we are together, we are determined to not let anyone divide us.
Pointing towards families of the victims, he said your loved ones did not die in vain, their blood has watered the seeds of hope.
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The Imam also thanked people, the government and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for showing love and compassion.
He said Prime Minister thank you for your leadership, it has been a lesson for the world’s leaders.
New Zealand was struck by two deadly attacks in Christchurch on Friday, with 50 people killed and another 20 seriously injured after gun assaults on mosques as Muslims offered the weeklyJumma prayers.
During afternoon prayers on Friday, a gunman opened fire inside the Masjid al Noor mosque in central Christchurch, killing 41. Another seven were killed at a second mosque five kilometres away in suburban Linwood, three of them outside the building.
At least nine Pakistanis are confirmed to have been killed in the terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand.
