A day after 49 people were killed in the horrific Christchurch mosques shootings in New Zealand when gunmen opened fire at two mosques on Friday, 15 March, people from across the world shared messages of solidarity on Twitter.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday, 16 March delivered a message of unity to the country's Islamic community, the worst affected by the bloody massacre, saying, "You were quick to mention this is not the New Zealand that you know. I want to reaffirm that today. This is not New Zealand."
New Zealand's iconic silver fern will adorn the Sydney Opera House, one of Australia's most recognisable landmarks, on Saturday night New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the show of respect on her official Twitter account, saying it was a "symbol of solidarity, support and respect."
People from across the world have been condemning the attacks and also posting messages of solidarity on social media. “We stand in solidarity with our Muslim neighbours,” one message said. “We are united in fighting violent hatred and racism,” read the other.
The Archbishop of Canterbury posted a message on Twitter, urging Christians to “get behind this simple act of kindness" by accompanying Muslims to Friday prayers at their local mosques to stand in solidarity.
Ben Birchall, a UK Press Association Staff Photographer, on the other hand, posted pictures of Christians from Riverside Church in Birmingham, handing out flowers after Friday prayers at Birmingham Central Mosque.
“It's hard to process the unimaginable horror perpetrated against the Muslim community in New Zealand & the Islamophobia it represents,” read the message posted on Twitter by American stage actor Mark Hamill.
An Australian whose Twitter username reads as Lach Drummond posted a video of the call to prayer at home at sunset as his “gesture of solidarity with Muslims around the world.”
Washington Post journalist Michelle Boorstein posted a picture of DC Jews standing outside downtown mosque at midday prayer, holding placards that read “Jews and Muslims united against hate.”
American politician Peter Buttigieg, who is serving as the current mayor of South Bend, Indiana, posted a note addressing the members of the Islamic society of Michiana. “I write to tell you that this city is absolutely committed to your safety and well-being,” a part of the letter signed by Pete, said.
The American Jewish Committee also posted a picture of its Director of Muslim-Jewish Relations standing in solidarity with Muslim neighbours at Jummah prayers at a midtown Manhattan mosque.
“For the first time in history synagogues in NZ are closed on Shabbat following the shocking massacre of Muslims in Christchurch. The Jewish Agency and the NZ Jewish Council stand in solidarity with the bereaved families,” read the message posted by a Twitter user named Isaac Herzog.
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