ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

‘Terrorist Will be Nameless’: PM Ardern on Christchurch Gunman

Dressed in black, Ardern opened her remarks in parliament with a symbolic gesture: “as-salaam alaikum”

Updated
World
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vowed on Tuesday, 19 March, never to utter the name of the twin-mosque gunman as she opened a sombre session of parliament with an evocative "as-salaam alaikum" message of peace to Muslims, AFP reported.

"He will face the full force of the law in New Zealand," Ardern pledged to grieving Kiwis, while promising that she would deprive the man, an avowed white supremacist who slaughtered 50 people in Christchurch, of the publicity he craved.

"He sought many things from his act of terror, but one was notoriety," she told the assembled lawmakers referring to the 28-year-old Australian accused of the slaughter.

(Video source: The Guardian)

“That is why you will never hear me mention his name. He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless. I implore you: Speak the names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them.”
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Dressed in black, the 38-year-old leader opened her remarks in parliament with a symbolic gesture, repeating the greeting uttered every day across the Islamic world: “as-salaam alaikum”.

‘Jacinda: A Global Symbol of Healing’

Twitter has lauded and called her act a “powerful symbol of courage, dignity, grace and compassion.”

0

The New Zealand PM closed her address by noting that "on Friday, it will be a week since the attack, members of the Muslim community will gather for worship on that day. Let us acknowledge their grief as they do." "Wa alaikum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh," she said – "May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you too."

(With inputs from AFP)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from news and world

Published: 
Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×