At least one Palestinian was among the 49 victims of the New Zealand terror attack earlier today, Palestinian officials have confirmed, as the world reels from the deadliest attack in the country’s history.
Mosques across the West Bank and Gaza Strip remembered those targeted in the mass shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, holding absentee funeral prayers in their memory.
Shhadeh Nasasrah, A Palestinian worshiper, who was at Al Noor mosuque in Christchurch was reportedly injured in his leg in the terrorist attack. #NewZealandMosqueAttack pic.twitter.com/D6strXtE3a
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 15, 2019
The Palestinian Authority Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Izzat Abdel Hadi earlier this morning announced that based on preliminary information, at least one Palestinian was killed in the attack, and six of those injured were also of Palestinian descent.
They include Shehada Sinawi, Wasim Abdulrazaq and his son and Mohammed Eliyan and his son.
At least one #Palestinian killed in #Christchurch shooting attack https://t.co/SfDGoMPYCw
— ☭Political Awareness☭ (@GazaBronzy) March 15, 2019
Gaza Strip authority Hamas also condemned the terrorist attack and called on the New Zealand government to ensure justice prevailed.
One of the shooters targeted the city’s biggest mosques, Al-Nour, during Friday prayers. Some 200 people were estimated to be in the building at the time of the incident, resulting in the deaths of some 41 people. Eight others died at a second location, and one victim died in hospital from his injuries.
Mohammed Elyan, a Palestinian worker at al-Noor mosque in Christchurch, and his son Atta from East Jerusalem, were reported severely injured in the #Christchurch terror #MosqueAttack in #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/5wBK4TzmaN
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 15, 2019
Scores of worshippers with gunshot wounds are still being treated at medical facilities around Christchurch; patients range from young children to adults and their injuries range from critical to minor. Some need multiple surgeries and several have been taken to other health facilities around the country.
"I just don't understand why someone would hurt us like this."
Muslims around the world react to the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/P0MRbVPnwp
— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 15, 2019
Four people, including one woman, have been arrested by New Zealand authorities; the primary shooter Brenton Tarrant broadcast the attack at Al-Nour Mosque live on social media and posted a link to an 87-page manifesto that was filled with anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim ideas and explanations for an attack. He is expected to appear in court tomorrow.
Palestinian Waseem Abdul Razzaq and his son are in critical condition. They are victims of the Christchurch terror Mosque Attack in #NewZealand. pic.twitter.com/sHMTUgP0Gs
— Palestine Play (@PalestinePlay) March 15, 2019
Mosques around the world have increased security in the aftermath of the attack, fearing that the incident could inspire other far-right extremists.
"You may have chosen us — but we utterly reject and condemn you."
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Christchurch, which killed at least 49 people. https://t.co/cAy6pFw5fj pic.twitter.com/OwgWvrISnR
— CNN (@CNN) March 15, 2019
The attack has also been condemned by world leaders. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was the “latest example of rising racism and Islamophobia”.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
