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Christchurch memorial: thousands flood city as New Zealand remembers attack victims Christchurch memorial: standing ovation for Ardern at New Zealand service
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of New Zealanders have streamed into Christchurch’s Hagley Park as part of a nationwide remembrance service in honour of 50 people killed in the country’s worst terrorist attack. New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was greeted with a standing ovation as she took the stage to address a crowd of thousands gathered at Hagley Park for a nationwide remembrance service in honour of 50 people killed in the country’s worst terrorist attack.
The service, known as Ko Tātou, Tātou We Are One, is being broadcast live to many other events taking place around the country. “The world has been stuck in a vicious cycle of extremism breeding extremism and it must end,” she said.
The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has been joined at the event by the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, along with survivors of the attack and those who lost loved ones when a gunman stormed two mosques in central Christchurch two weeks ago. “We cannot confront these issues alone, none of us can... The answer lies in our humanity. But for now we will remember the tears of our nation and the new resolve we have formed.”
Farid Ahmed, whose wife Husna Ahmed was killed in Al Noor mosque, is among those due to address the crowd.
With respect: how Jacinda Ardern showed the world what a leader should beWith respect: how Jacinda Ardern showed the world what a leader should be
Husna had rescued several children in the mosque, which borders Hagley Park, on the day of the attack. However, she was killed when she returned to find her husband, who uses a wheelchair. The service, known as Ko Tātou, Tātou We Are One, was broadcast live to many other events taking place around the country, to commemorate the 50 people who died two weeks ago when a gunman stormed two mosques in central Christchurch.
Ardern said the focus of the service was the Muslim community and the city of Christchurch, however, 59 countries are also represented including heads of state from the Pacific community. People from 59 countries attended the event, including Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and other heads of state from the Pacific. Also in attendance were survivors of the attack and those who lost loved ones, as well as musician Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, who performed at the event.
The ceremony will also include members of Christchurch’s Islamic community reading out the names of each of the 50 victims of the terrorist attack. “We each hold the power – in our words, in our actions, in our daily acts of kindness – let that be the legacy of the 15th of March,” Ardern said.
Also scheduled to speak are Muslim leaders Shaggaf Khan and Mustafa Farouk, Ardern, governor-general Dame Patsy Reddy, and Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel. Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel told the crowd that they all had a responsibility to question themselves about their own views and the “comfort we give to people who might harbour racist or hateful views”, adding: “We will not be defined by what happened on the 15th of March.”
British singer Yusuf Islam, previously known as Cat Stevens, will perform with other local musicians including Marlon Williams and Hollie Smith. President of the Muslim Council of Canterbury Shaggaf Khan said he was deeply saddened by the event but humbled by the outpouring of grief that followed.
The service is jointly led by the government, the City of Christchurch, local iwi Ngāi Tahu and the Muslim community. “That you did not leave us alone in our sadness. New Zealand responded in a way that none of us will ever forget – that let the world know who we really are.”
Large swaths of the city have been sealed off, with police saying much planning had gone into the service and that public safety was the priority. The national threat level is still high. Farid Ahmed, who survived the Al Noor mosque attack, said he wanted to offer his prayers for the people who were killed and also the people who survived.
“I would like to honour you for your presence today ... I want to thank New Zealanders for coming together; for showing the world that New Zealand is a peaceful country.”
Before performing Peace Train, musician Yusuf Islam, said his heart went out to those affected and hoped the negative event would come to show the positives of the response.
“It’s only when good people stay sitting that evil rises ... we’ve seen the opposite in this country.”
The service was jointly led by the government, the City of Christchurch, local iwi Ngāi Tahu and the Muslim community.
Large swathes of the city have been sealed off, with police saying much planning had gone into the service and that public safety was the priority. The national threat level is still high.
Christchurch shootingChristchurch shooting
New ZealandNew Zealand
ChristchurchChristchurch
Scott MorrisonScott Morrison
Jacinda ArdernJacinda Ardern
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
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