Muslim Leaders Express Outrage Over New Zealand Mosque Attacks

Political and Islamic leaders around the world expressed deep outrage and condemnation following the horrific shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15. The tragic attack, which took place during Friday prayers, left many dead and injured, with leaders attributing the violence to the growing tide of Islamophobia.

As governments across Asia and the Middle East urgently sought to determine the fate of their citizens who may have been among the victims, there was widespread anger and sorrow over the deliberate targeting of peaceful worshippers.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, voiced his concern over the root causes of such violence, stating on social media, “I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11, where 1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror.” His comments underscored the global rise in anti-Muslim sentiment that many believe has fueled such heinous acts.

In a powerful statement, Al-Azhar University in Egypt, a 1,000-year-old bastion of Sunni Islamic scholarship, denounced the attacks as a blatant violation of the sanctity of God’s houses. The university warned that this atrocity was a “dangerous indicator” of the dire consequences of escalating hate speech, xenophobia, and the widespread proliferation of Islamophobia. The institution called for greater efforts to foster the coexistence of different religions and cultures, emphasizing the need for global unity against hate.

This sentiment was echoed by Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Minister, who called for intensified global efforts to combat violence and hatred. “Our collective work against violence and hate must continue with renewed vigor,” he urged, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing the root causes of such extremism.

The incident has had a profound impact on communities worldwide. Indonesia’s ambassador to New Zealand, Tantowi Yahya, revealed that six Indonesians were inside one of the mosques at the time of the attack; three managed to escape while three others were still unaccounted for. Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, issued a strong condemnation, stating, “Indonesia strongly condemns this heinous act, especially as it took place in a place of worship during Friday prayers.”

Afghanistan’s ambassador to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, Wahidullah Waissi, reported that three Afghan nationals were among the wounded. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that two of its citizens were injured in the attack.

The tragedy also narrowly missed Bangladesh’s national cricket team, which was in Christchurch for a scheduled match against New Zealand. The team had just arrived for Friday prayers when the shooting began. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Shahriar Alam expressed relief that the team members were unharmed, calling it “extremely fortunate” that they escaped injury. As a result of the attack, the cricket match was promptly canceled, reflecting the deep shock and mourning that followed the incident.

This global outpouring of grief and anger underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of such violence and to promote a world where people of all faiths can worship in peace and safety.