Standing together against hatred with expressions of love and unity
People all over the UK and the world have been coming together to remember those who lost their lives in the Christchurch terror attacks in New Zealand last Friday. Candlelit vigils have been held in towns and cities worldwide, including in London’s Hyde Park, St Ann’s Square in Manchester and Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries.
As well as honouring the victims of this act of terror, the people of New Zealand have stood together to condemn the kind of hatred, division and violence that the perpetrator wanted to promote.
#HelloBrother
“Hello brother” were the last words of 71-year-old worshipper Daoud Nabi, as he greeted the attacker at the entrance of the mosque. They have become a mantra for mourners around the world, a hashtag for acts of remembrance, and Nabi has been depicted in deeply touching artwork made in memory of the victims.
There’s now even a video of 100 Muslims and non-Muslims from different countries saying “Hello Brother”, as an affirmation of strength, unity and love over hate.
#TheyAreUs
The hashtag #theyareus (taken from a speech given by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern) has been adopted to show solidarity with the Muslim community. She has refused to say the terrorist’s name, urging people instead to “speak the names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them”.
#KiaKaha
Translated as “Stay Strong”, many are using this Maori phrase to support New Zealanders in their grief. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ended their statement on the attacks with the phrase on Friday. And this pretty amazing photo was taken of the staff and students of Orewa College in Auckland spelling it out:
The Haka
Though often associated with New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team, this ancient ceremonial dance in Maori culture is being performed at memorial sites across NZ in memory of those lost. By all kinds of people, surfers, bikers, in huge groups or alone. Check out this powerful tribute by a group of students outside the Al Noor mosque:
In the internet age, what happens on the opposite side of the globe can feel a lot closer to home. But whilst we share in the same grief, anxiety and hurt as our brothers and sisters in New Zealand, we can also share in the empathy, unity and love being expressed by people across the UK and the world.
If we stand strong together, hatred will never win.
On Sunday, a mosque welcomed hundreds of people through its doors and a group of Muslims gave away 3,000 roses on London Bridge.
The place of worship is continuing to provide comfort and safety to victims of the blaze.
Arthur Thompson de la Chenelière folded 6,000 cranes—one thousand for each of the six victims—shaped them into a map of the earth, then encircled them with his wishes.
