Christchurchs Muslim community will today hold private prayers to remember the 51 people killed in the terror attacks on the Masjid AlNoor and Linwood mosques two years ago today
The Bulletin: Muslim community to privately mark attack anniversary
The Bulletin
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: It’s two years on from the Christchurch mosque attack, the spotlight is on commercial radio after sexual harassment claims, and Aucklanders have enjoyed their first weekend back at alert level one.
Today marks the two year anniversary of “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”. On March 15 in 2019, 51 people were killed while they worshipped in two Christchurch mosques. The terrorist, a white supremacist, injured 40 others. The perpetrator was last year sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Christchurch s Muslim community will today hold private prayers to remember the 51 people killed in the terror attacks on the Masjid Al-Noor and Linwood mosques two years ago today.
Police were outside Al-Noor Mosque on Saturday as people gathered to remember the attacks two years ago.
Photo: AFP
The imam of Masjid An-Nur Gamal Fouda said today s prayers will be held at both mosques to remember those who lost their lives. Families will remember their loved ones in different ways, many will pay their respects today by visiting the graves of those who died. Saturday s service went very well, it was great to see so many families coming together again, the wider community provided so much support, he said.
All we can do is repeat our message that only love can heal us and make the world greater for everyone. I feel sad and peaceful at the same time, sad for those who have left us but grateful that we can all come together again to remember our loved ones and friends.
Christchurch City Mayor Lianne Dalziel said it took a while for the full horror of what had happened that day to sink in. I was at a student protest in the square when we were first told something had happened, by the time we got back to council a staff member came up to me and said the police have said there s been a shooting and at least 20 people have been killed.