New Zealand observes seven years since shootings at Christchurch mosques

Published
0
A member of the public places flowers infront of Masjid An-Nur mosque prior to Temel Atacocugu, a survivor of twin mosque attacks, in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15, 2022. — Anadolu Agency
A member of the public places flowers infront of Masjid An-Nur mosque prior to Temel Atacocugu, a survivor of twin mosque attacks, in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15, 2022. — Anadolu Agency

Remembrances took place in Christchurch to observe and honour the victims of two terror attacks on mosques that killed scores of worshipers seven years ago, media reports said Sunday.

Fifty-one victims were killed and 40 injured at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre on March 15, 2019. in New Zealand’s deadliest-ever mass shooting.

The day began with “the Walk the Talk for Unity” at the Bridge of Remembrance in the city centre, organised by the Sakinah Community Trust, a group founded by several widows of the victims, local broadcaster 1News reported.

A memorial service at the Peace Bell in the botanical gardens began with a minute of silence, followed by the reading of the names of the 51 victims. It concluded with a laying of wreaths.

Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant carried out the attacks at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch during Friday prayers.

He was sentenced to life in prison in 2020 without the possibility of parole, in the first such ruling ever handed down in the island country.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, while paying tribute to the victims, said Christchurch and New Zealand “showed the world strength, compassion and unity in the face of tragedy” seven years ago.

Luxun vowed to continue to “build a country where everyone can live in peace and safety.

Opinion

Editorial

Mideast outreach
Updated 12 Aug, 2026

Mideast outreach

OVER the past few days, Pakistan has been going the extra mile to assure Iran that the Makkah Joint Defence ...
Nutrition emergency
12 Aug, 2026

Nutrition emergency

MALNUTRITION has become one of the biggest obstacles to Pakistan’s development. Around 40pc of children under five...
Housing deficit
12 Aug, 2026

Housing deficit

THE federal cabinet’s zoning directive has the potential to be the most consequential decision in the redefinition...
Equal citizens
Updated 11 Aug, 2026

Equal citizens

Religious minorities continue to face mob violence, attacks on their places of worship, forced conversions and social and economic exclusion.
Tel Aviv’s subterfuge
Updated 11 Aug, 2026

Tel Aviv’s subterfuge

These verbal gymnastics indicate that Tel Aviv has no intention of ending its occupation of the Strip.
Abandoned after floods
11 Aug, 2026

Abandoned after floods

THREE years after the 2022 floods submerged a third of Pakistan, more than 134,000 verified affected families in...