An emotional image of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugging a woman after the Christchurch terror attacks has been projected onto the world’s tallest building.
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The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is 829.8 metres tall.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister, Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted a photo of the building with the message: “New Zealand today fell silent in honour of the mosque attacks’ martyrs. Thank you PM @jacindaardern and New Zealand for your sincere empathy and support that has won the respect of 1.5 billion Muslims after the terrorist attack that shook the Muslim community around the world.”
The image also displayed the Arabic word “salam” and its English translation “peace”.
New Zealand today fell silent in honour of the mosque attacks’ martyrs. Thank you PM @jacindaardern and New Zealand for your sincere empathy and support that has won the respect of 1.5 billion Muslims after the terrorist attack that shook the Muslim community around the world. pic.twitter.com/9LDvH0ybhD
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 22, 2019
A week after the terror attacks, New Zealand paused for two minutes’ silence to honour the 50 people killed while attending Friday prayers at the Al Noor mosque. The Muslim call to prayer was broadcast across the country from Hagley Park – opposite the mosque. Thousands attended the prayer service.
Al Noor mosque imam Gamal Fouda told the victims’ families that their loved ones did not die in vain.
“Through them, the world will see the beauty of Islam and the beauty of unity,” he said.
He thanked New Zealand, particularly Ardern, for their tears, flowers, love and compassion.
To our Prime Minister, thank you. Thank you for your leadership — it has been a lesson for the world’s leaders.
Thank you for holding our families close and honouring us with a simple scarf.
Thank you for your words and tears of compassion. Thank you for being one with us.
Thank you to the New Zealand Government and to all the wonderful people who have shown us that we matter and are not forgotten.
