New Zealand PM Ardern lays wreath in Wellington after Christchurch mosque terror attack
PM Jacinda Ardern with Grant Robertson lay down some flowers at the Mosque to commemorate lost lives
WELLINGTON (Dunya News) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday visited the Muslim community in Wellington and condoled the deaths of 50 people who were martyred by right-wing terrorist during Friday prayers at Al-Noor and Linwood mosques.
Ms Ardern, clad in a black shalwar kameez with a dopatta on her head, addressed a gathering of the local Muslim community and paid her condolences.
"New Zealand is united in grief," she said.
She further said that this act of terror was “not New Zealand”. “This act of terror was brought to our shores”, she said.
She turned teary-eyed while bringing messages of love, support and grief on behalf of all New Zealanders to the crowd gathered at Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resources Centre.
In Wellington on Sunday, the smell of flowers hung in the air from the hundreds of bouquets covering the steps of the mosque for the 50 people who died and the Islamic community.
Before Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived, Wellington resident Moana Leota sang Imagine, joined by many in the crowd.
Wearing a hijab and followed by security, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugged members of the community and laid a bunch of flowers on the steps before entering the mosque.
After a meeting with Islamic community leaders, Ardern left about 30 minutes later without addressing the public.
About an hour after Ardern left, Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy arrived also wearing a hijab and laid flowers on the steps of the mosque.
At the centre people stood mostly in silence as people arrived with flowers, some hand-picked from home, some bringing hand-written letters and cards of support, some with gifts and homemade artwork.
The mosque in Kilbirnie was heavily guarded by armed police who stood watching members of the public as they came and left.
A vigil will be held on Sunday night at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
The event was first planned for Te Ngakau Civic Square but with over 12,000 expected to attend, the Wellington City Council announced on Sunday morning that the venue had changed.
