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New Zealand scored a week after the attacks on the Christchurch Mosque, which claimed the lives of 50 people. The call to prayer of Muslims then resounded across the country, followed by two minutes of silence nationwide.
Thousands of people, including prime minister Jacinda Ardern and wounded survivors, found themselves in a park in front of the mosque where the mbadacre began, while the country's 4.5 million residents 39 is immobilized.
New Zealand is still in shock after the unleashing of an Australian white supremacist, who hoped to foment an ethnic war with his attacks.
But the horrified Kiwis reacted with outbursts of love, many of them having kissed their Muslim neighbors Friday in moving scenes across the country.
#HeadScarfforHarmony
Women all over New Zealand wore hijabs of fortune in sympathy and solidarity.
Rafaela Stoakes, a 32-year-old 32-year-old mother, said wearing an Islamic headgear had helped her better understand what it meant to stand out and belong to the minority.
"It's amazing how different I felt from my short presence this morning," Stoakes told AFP. "I had a sense of pride in honoring my Muslim friends, but I also felt very vulnerable and alone because I was the only person to wear one."
"It must take a lot of courage to do this on a daily basis."
She was one of the many people who kissed #HeadScarfforHarmony, to fight the hatred of the shooter.
Police women and non-Muslim volunteers also wore the headscarf to lead the crowd around the Christchurch site.
Demonstration of unity
Cyclists guarded the mosques while Muslims participated in their first Friday prayers since the mbadacre. Gangs like Mongrel Mob, King Cobra and Black Power have promised to protect their local Muslim communities across the country.
New Zealand is in shock and in mourning, but those who attended the Friday prayer – Muslims and non-Muslims – showed that all kiwis were united.
"The country is united on this issue and nothing will ever break it," said John Dale, 59, of Christchurch, accompanied by his partner Shirley, who had decided to wear a white headscarf.
"We will stand behind each other – no matter who – Muslims, Christians, all religions."
(with AFP)
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