In recent days, the world has witnessed the true essence of peace and humanity portrayed by the people and the leadership of New Zealand who continue to win hearts one day at a time.
After the horrendous incident of mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, their Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern exuded an overwhelming sense of leadership by standing beside the families and loved ones of the victims.
Jacinda Ardern: 'A leader with love on full display' https://t.co/9NNHnrlECa
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 21, 2019
The attack by an Australian supremacist that took lives of 49 innocent Muslims who were present at the mosque for their Friday prayers shook the world and made reverberations through people of all sects, creeds and races who offered their condolences to the families affected. The world grieved for the concordant stream of tears that flowed from New Zealand.
Moreover, It was announced that the Friday Azaan (call for prayer) will be broadcasted nationwide.
New Zealand continues to inspire!❤️
PM Ardern announces New Zealand will nationally broadcast the Adnan, ie the Islamic Call to Prayer this Friday.
2 minutes of silence will precede the Adhan.
This is what leadership looks like.#NewZealandMosque pic.twitter.com/fOwXqP0CsO
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) March 20, 2019
Furthermore, New Zealand is celebrating ‘National Scarf Day’ today to show solidarity with their Muslim community.
@lancspolice @lancspcc @LancPolEquality @LancsBPA @DCCGamblin @NationalBPA @rozila_kana This Friday 22nd March is National Scarf Day where we are being encouraged to wear a scarf in solidarity with Muslim women following the tragedies in Christchurch New Zealand pic.twitter.com/pVdmTx75x2
— PC Ian Ashton (@PCIanAshton) March 19, 2019
This garnered mixed feelings.
Some stated that the country has proved that they’re the people of peace.
Support national wear a head scarf day today in solidarity and support of the senseless massacre of innocent people in Christchurch New Zeald – #lovenothate ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/I9wy6Hd1AE
— deborah botica (@BoticaDeborah) March 22, 2019
You just proved New Zealand is a very peaceful country indeed. InsyaAllah. ❤️❤️❤️
— Amy Hashim (@AmyHashim) March 20, 2019
National scarf day here in New Zealand. #theyareus #weareone 🙏❤️
— Mele Tau'ese (@MeleTauese) March 21, 2019
Some even asked questions to clarify their understanding.
Hi, legitimately asking as I'm not sure, will this be offensive to practicing Muslims donning a scarf in this way, and would I need to obtain special type of scarf? This is a legitimate question so I can be educated and in no way critical of tribute or the practice ❤
— Sia (@alsostarringsia) March 20, 2019
Then some presented personal examples of how people of New Zealand have previously portrayed a strong image of peace as well.
Millions of Thanks!
NZ people are the best people in the world I had a teacher (Dr. Royce Wills) who taught and guild me for more than 12 years, I learn all of the good things from him and he serviced very well for Afghan, terrorist attacks do not present ethnic or religious.— Moh. Afzal Zarghoni (@AfzalZarghoni) March 20, 2019
Others suggested this should be celebrated internationally and men should have a part to play as well.
Wonderful and should be international – but what can men do? I'm arriving in NZ on national scarf day (which reminds me of the Our Town movement in my native town where everyone put menorah pix in their windows after rocks were thrown through the rabbi's window).
— Charles E. Morrison (@charmorrison) March 19, 2019
Then there were some who stated that all Muslim women don’t take a hijab.
I think you lost it….Hijab & muslim women are not synonyms. You create confusion and assimilate all muslim women to a scarf which means torture and jail for millions if they refuse to wear it. You are sooo in (wrong) cultural appropriation.
— Cuauhtémoc 🇫🇷🇺🇸 #JeSoutiensZineb (@StephNCE) March 20, 2019
😳show solidarity with muslim women by wearing a hijab ?! Since when muslim women are born with a hijab on their head ? Most of them don’t wear it and some in the world are un danger when getting rid of it. Stop with this paternalistic ideology, religious patriarchy !
— Christine Le Doaré (@ChLeDoare) March 20, 2019
Interesting sentiment.
What about the Muslim women who do not wear headscarves, how can you show solidarity with them?
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) March 19, 2019
And that New Zealand should find other, more constructive, ways to show solidarity.
An appallingly bad idea on so many levels. Hope NZ women ignore it and show solidarity in a more constructive way.
— Ghidorah (@Ghidorah64) March 19, 2019
Seems like a weird idea for white New Zealanders to dress up as Muslim women for a day in "Solidarity". What about more practical ways of supporting the survivors through this difficult time and beyond? Run errands, fund counseling, supply food, laundry, anything else but this.
— Kismet (@iWyn_) March 19, 2019
Some said they haven’t witnessed a similar level of solidarity from Muslims.
Christians are showing love and kindness to Muslims, and I never saw Muslims having similar gestures. Just to remind you that over 120 Christians were slaughtered in Nigeria by Muslims, and it will just pass by time.
— Leon Jiang (@Jiang_LiuYang) March 20, 2019
Is this to go with the crosses of solidarity to the murdered 250/day Christians?
— Mikki (@mik_00_mik) March 19, 2019
And that the world should instead stand with women who want to break the shackles from the hijab that is forcibly inflicted on them.
As an ex Muslim I find this level of virtue signaling absolutely appalling.
Women in Islamic countries are fighting hard to fight the patriarchy that pushes hijab on them, and you not just won't ever stand up for them, insult yourself and them.Shame on you
— Dangerous Spaghetti (@DangerSpaghetti) March 21, 2019
What an irresponsible way to show solidarity while disregarding the struggle of Eastern women to become #FreeFromHijab, putting their life and freedom at stake, whether in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Algeria or Turkey. #FreeNasrinSotoudeh #WhiteWednesdays #StandWithSaudiHeroes
— Babet🐝 (@ElisabethBelloc) March 21, 2019
Then it was mentioned that NZ is setting a great example for the world.
What a thoughtful gesture. NZ showing the world what "Love Thy Neighbour As Thy Self" is. Bravo.
— Maj Sodone (@MJSodone) March 21, 2019
Love thy neighbor, NZ is a model country for PEACE!
— Vijay S (@Vanns2005) March 19, 2019
And well, people actually decided to move to New Zealand.
Dammit, that’s it!! I’m moving! I love the solidarity they are showing in New Zealand. As well as the strong & quick action taken there to ban dangerous weapons, in light of the last massacre. BRAVO New Zealand!! BRAVO!! Well done!!
— That Girl (@evheard) March 21, 2019
After the attacks, a lot has been happening in the country to pay tribute to victims and to ensure the safety of the citizens.
The attack took the lives of two students from the same school. Their friends gathered for a memorial to pay tribute to the departed.
New Zealanders have been making protective circles around Muslims going to the mosque
Kri Belden sent me this:“Lodi California Mosque was surrounded by a human chain of non-Muslims today during prayers to…
Gepostet von Frank Somerville KTVU am Sonntag, 17. März 2019
And their iconic silver fern was re-edited to show Muslim community in prayer
At first sight, it looks like a silver fern, the traditional emblem of New Zealand. But a closer look reveals the frond of the fern is formed by 50 silhouettes of Muslims in various stages of prayer: https://t.co/WRGWHdD88J pic.twitter.com/VLHZ3c1dbQ
— CNN International (@cnni) March 21, 2019
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that the terrorist who carried out these mass shootings should never be named.
Amidst this display of love and support, it’s also important to acknowledge how the haters were treated.
Australian Senator, Fraser Anning, was egged by a 17 year old boy after he issued a controversial statement regarding the attack in New Zealand.
The escapade took place when Anning was busy sharing his derogatory views with the media. This boy, Will Connoly, steadied his phone and filmed himself cracking a raw egg on the senator’s head.
The guy may have received a couple vigorous punches from the senator but he emerged as a hero for the world.
Right-wing Australia senator Fraser Anning egged after blaming New Zealand massacre on immigration policies. #eggboy https://t.co/qtkyilETkT pic.twitter.com/XLev6BYJnX
— Circa (@Circa) March 16, 2019
Khair, this just goes to show how the world should admit that terrorism is not bound to be portrayed by a certain religion. A person’s faith should not be defined by the instance of destruction. Peace is all that we should be rooting out for.
Have anything to add? Let us know in the comments.
Cover image via: Scarves in Solidarity / Facebook