Powerful images of a New Zealand Police Constable, Michelle Evans, wearing a headscarf as she stood guard protecting the funerals of those killed in the Christchurch terror attacks have gone viral around the world.
Many women across New Zealand, including Whanganui Police Constable Michelle Evans wore headscarves in solidarity with Muslims.
One of the images of Evans was captured on Thursday by Jorge Silva and shows her wearing a Calvin Klein scarf over her head, a red rose on her chest and is holding a Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle.
The young police officer stood guard outside the Christchurch Memorial Park Cemetery.
The woman from Whanganui was a new police recruit in 2016 and told the Whanganui Chronicle she was passionate about helping people.
“I wanted to work with the community that I was brought up in really, and just help people. It’s a satisfying job knowing that you’re going out there and that’s what you’re getting paid to do, is help people,” Evans said.
Sunshine Mosque in Melbourne says that it was inspired by the New Zealand police officer who is not Muslim wearing the hijab in solidarity for the Muslim community. “This image so strikingly captures New Zealand’s example of tolerance, compassion and humanity, and should be seen as far and wide possible.”
MiNDFOOD previously shared the image to mixed reaction from readers.