New Zealand came together in a national day of reflection Friday to mark a week since the mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques that killed 50 people.
In Hagley Park, a short walk from the Al Noor mosque where most people were killed in the first attack, thousands of people attended a memorial service before Friday prayers.
Speaking to mourners in the crowd, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said «New Zealand mourns with you.»
Quoting the Prophet Muhammad, she said: «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 said.
As the Muslim community gathered to pray and mourn, hundreds of non-Muslims stood around the perimeter of the site in solidarity. The area was treated with the reverence of a mosque, with many women — including the prime minister — wearing headscarves as a mark of respect.
