Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shares the grief of New Zealanders as she meets with Christchurch’s Muslim community following the devastating mosque shootings.
On Saturday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited members of the Muslim community at a refugee center in Christchurch, where she paid tribute to victims of Friday’s mosque shootings and conveyed a message of support.
The Prime Minister told community members that she had three important roles in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.
“One is to bring the message of love and support and grief of the people of New Zealand,” TVNZ reports, as the PM sat alongside Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Opposition leader Simon Bridges and Green Party co-leader James Shaw.
“New Zealand is united in its grief and we are united in our grief.”
At least 49 people are confirmed dead, with more than 40 people injured following attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday afternoon. 41 of the victims were killed at Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue and seven died at Linwood mosque. Another victim died later in Christchurch hospital.
The PM also said during the community meeting that she had “to ensure your safety, your freedom to worship safely, your freedom to express your culture and religion.”
Ardern said her last role was to ensure the Muslim community have the space to grieve.
Those at the centre asked if she would please visit the families of the victims, so after their meeting she immediately changed her plans and went straight to Hagley College, for what was understood to be an emotional meeting with people close to the victims.
She was told that small things went a long way; a glass of water, a flower on a doorstep – it all meant a lot.
She left with a message for New Zealanders, from the community: This was not Christchurch, this was not a New Zealand that anyone knows.
Three people are in custody over the mass shootings. Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian national, smirked and flashed a White Power sign as he appeared manacled and barefoot in court on Saturday afternoon. He has been charged with murder and will next appear in court in April.
