Message from the Mayor of Wellington in regards to Christchurch Terrorist Attack

March 22, 2019 [New Zealand Chapter]

In the wake of mass shootings targeting two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, Mayor Justin Lester of Wellington, the Lead City of the Mayors for Peace New Zealand Chapter, responded and issued a statement of sympathy and solidarity to all those affected by the attacks.

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Kia ora te Whanau.

Bismillah. As-salaam-aleikum.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim community; to share our love, our support, our grief and our tears. We remember those New Zealanders who were victims of a terrorist act.

We’re here to show our Muslim community that if one person can harbour so much hate, then 4.5 million New Zealanders can overwhelm them with love.

This country belongs to all of us.

It’s a country our Muslim community is proud to call home and we are even prouder to have them here. A country where they felt safe and could freely practice their culture and religion.

The cowardly acts they have had to endure are shameful and despicable. Our Muslim community has responded with dignity, grace and a level of compassion in stark contrast to the pain they have had to endure.

The 11,000 Wellingtonians who attended the vigil on Sunday night in a display of solidarity, was heart-warming. As a city we must now take our support one step further and show we utterly reject and condemn racism. In every form. We will stand up against it and we will not stand aside.

He does not represent us. Hate will not divide us.

Jazākallāh.