Christchurch (Agencies): The Azaan for Friday prayers was broadcast live on State Radio and Television across New Zealand to express solidarity with the families of those martyred in terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch last Friday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also joined about 20,000 people standing quietly at Hagley Park, in front of the Al Noor mosque,
In her brief speech after the Friday congregation, PM Ardern quoted hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), saying, “According to Prophet Mohammed, the believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain.”
“New Zealand mourns with you, we are one,” she added. Her speech was followed by two minutes of silence. The Azaan also rang out nationwide, followed by two minutes of 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.
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”, the Imam said.
Meanwhile, eight Pakistanis martyred in terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand were buried in a local graveyard in Christchurch on Friday.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted that the funeral was attended by more than 5000 people, of which there were about 1500 Muslims, who came from all over New Zealand.
