President, PM, UAE condemn NZ terror attack

Saleh Zaafir *** Sibte Arif *** our correspondent

Ag agencies

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in New Zealand in which Muslim worshippers were mowed down by a white terrorist.

The Prime Minister said the attack is also deliberate attempt to demonise legitimate Muslim political struggles. “The incident has reaffirmed our claim that terrorism does not have any religion,” he said.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Khan attributed such terror acts to the post nine-eleven Islamophobia under which the one point three billion Muslims of the world are being blamed for any act of terrorism by a single Muslim individual.

Talking to media, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also condemned the terrorist attack in New Zealand in strongest terms. He expressed grief and shock over the incident and expressed condolences for the victims.

In a tweet, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in New Zealand. He said our High Commission is in constant touch with the local authorities, trying to ascertain further details.

President Dr Arif Alvi has also expressed shocked and grief on the horrific massacre in Christchurch mosque. In a tweet, he said hate once unleashed is difficult to stop and these are difficult times. The President said his prayers go for the victims. May their souls rest in peace! The President also offered condolences to the families and prayed that they have strength to bear this loss.

Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari strongly condemned the terrorist attack on two Mosques in Christchurch.

In a statement, the Human Rights Minister expressed sympathies with the members of the bereaved families and injured and termed this act of terrorism against the Muslim community and their place of worship adding that terrorism against Muslims on the rise. She said this was a condemnable act of terrorism as Islamophobia reaches New Zealand.

Dr Mazari said this was an anti Muslim terrorist attack. “This is the Islamophobic sick mindset that encourages the rise of anti-Muslim terrorism,” she further added. She expressed grief and shock over the incident and expressed her condolences for the victims and also prayed for the victims of this brazen terrorist attack and their families. She has also wished early recovery of the injured.

Pakistan People's Party PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zadari has strongly condemned terrorist attacks in New Zealand. In a tweet he said, “Condemn in the strongest possible terms the barbaric violent act of terrorism at a mosque in Christchurch New Zealand. Unfortunate rise in white supremacist Islamaphobic attacks. Thoughts and prayers with the victims people of New Zealand.”’

In Dubai, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a cable to the Governor General of New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy expressing his heartfelt condolences and sympathy for the victims of the terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand’s Christchurch city, according to the UAE official news agency WAM.

In his cable, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed has condemned in the strongest possible terms the heinous crime in which many innocent people fell victim while safely and securely performing Friday prayers.

According to WAM, the UAE President stressed the need for countering hatred and intolerance, affirming that compassion and coexistence among peoples are the lifeline for humanity from this imminent danger.

Sheikh Khalifa also stressed that terrorism has no religion and that intolerance and extremism are the sources of evil and scourge, while calling from the UAE, a nation of tolerance, the international community to stand united in the face of this black terrorism, blind fanaticism and closed thoughts which kill innocent people every day without any guilt.

While, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum condemned the mass shooting during the Friday prayer at two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand.

"On a peaceful Friday, and in a mosque, a typical peaceful place of worship, we saw the most heinous of religious hate crimes where 49 worshippers were killed. Our condolences to New Zealand, and to the families of the victims, and to all Muslims in my name and on behalf of my country that is dedicating a full year for promoting tolerance in the world. We express our deepest sorrow and call upon the entire world to thoughtfully consider inculcating interfaith tolerance," Sheikh Mohammed said in his official Twitter account.

Moreover, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also condemned the heinous attack. Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter, "Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the hate crime that took the lives of innocent Muslims performing Friday prayers in New Zealand. We call on the world to fight hatred. The UAE is a nation of tolerance and we affirm the need for love and coexistence."

The UAE official news agency also reported that the UAE Embassy in New Zealand has affirmed the safety of all Emirati students in New Zealand following the Christchurch mosques shooting.

UAE Ambassador to New Zealand, Ahmed Salim Al Suwaidi said the UAE diplomatic mission has communicated with the Emirati students learning in the country to make sure of their safety and urge them to exercise maximum caution during such exceptional circumstances in implementation of the New Zealand police's instructions under all circumstances, according to WAM. He condemned the shooting and reaffirmed UAE's categorical rejection of all forms of terrorism.