To my Muslim sisters and brothers in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and around the world,
As-salāmu alay-kum wa rahmatu-llāhi wa barakātu-hu – May the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
I am shocked and appalled at yesterday’s terrorist attacks at two mosques in Christchurch, where 49 worshippers performing Friday prayers were callously murdered, many more injured, and the survivors, respondents, and indeed the entire nation and peoples around the world were traumatised. I stand in solidarity with you in your horror, grief and distress. I offer my prayers for the victims and extend my condolences to their families. I send my thoughts and my prayers to the injured and to all the individuals and communities who have been affected by this senseless violence.
I condemn Islamophobic, racist and extremist violence in all its forms. It is an offence to God, to believers of all faiths, to all people of good will, and to our common humanity. I condemn also those who spread mis-information, suspicion and fear for their own purposes and create the toxic climate in which extremist violence takes root.
To Muslims I say, you are not “invaders” or “aliens”. You are not “other”. You are my sister and brother. You are family. You are citizens. You belong. You are an integral part of the fabric of our multicultural, multi-ethic, multi-lingual and multi-religious societies. We are one. The trauma you are now experiencing is not just ‘yours’ alone. It is “ours”, as it affects all of us ¬-together.
I join with Pope Francis who was “deeply saddened by such senseless acts of violence and assured all New Zealanders, and in particular the Muslim community, of his heartfelt solidarity.”
I join with the Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand who wrote to the nation’s Muslim community, “We hold you in prayer…. we wish you to be aware of our solidarity with you in the face of such violence”.
The Columban interfaith plan of action states, “we commit ourselves to work with people of other faiths and none to build up a fairer, better and peaceful world.”
May Muslims and Christians everywhere respond to the joint invitation by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, to “all persons who have faith in God and faith in human fraternity, to unite and work together so that it may serve as a guide for future generations to advance a culture of mutual respect in the awareness of the great divine grace that makes all human beings brothers and sisters.” (Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019).
In these troubled times, when evil forces seek to divide us on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity or religion, may Muslims, Christians, people of all faiths, and all people of good will remain united in heart and mind and resolve. May faith bind us in human solidarity, hope drive out fear, and love overcome hatred.
.as-salāmu alay-kum – Pax vobiscum – Peace be with you
As a resident of Christchurch I thank you for your prayers.
Our beautiful city has been thru so much with the earthquake and loss of 185 souls and our city severally damaged.
But we had answers- we know buildings weren’t up to standard, we know rock falls happened- those deaths were absolutely tragic.
That was nature.
This was man.
The trauma and emotions are simply heartbreaking.
As life ” returns to normal ” I have contemplated the response.
The outpouring of grief, the flowers the gestures.
But I also reflect on how kiwis sometimes do not know how to Express themselves to someone face.
I believe WW2 plays a part in this as our grandfathers returned home traumatized and rarely,if ever, expressed emotions and hence following generations are similar.
I simply ask;
“How are you feeling this week”
This is a question I will continue to ask here in Christchurch and encourage others to ask- as the media fades away and the tributes slow down we as a city will never ever forget the victims, the hopeless feelings, the fear, the shame and once again the destruction of our safe city.
Dear Abbie, thank you for your acknowledgement. Our prayers for you and the citizens of Christchurch will continue. Yes, keep on asking, ‘how are you feeling this week’. The question manifests the human care and concern for other human beings that is the cure to racism and bigotry and hatred and is what will eventually heal the wounds that have been inflicted on you. In solidarity, Patrick