Profound calmness at Friday prayers
Hundreds of people from attacked mosques attend joint Juma, or Friday service, in Christchurch
Muslims from Christchurch’s two main congregations joined for a joint Friday prayer service ahead of tomorrow’s first anniversary of the March 15 mosque attacks in which 51 people died.
Hundreds from Masjid An-Nur and Linwood Islamic Centre, which were attacked a year ago, filed into Horncastle Arena yesterday for the joint Juma, or Friday prayer service.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also attended, meeting women from the congregations before observing the service and meeting community members on the way out.
An Afghani who died yesterday was also farewelled at the service, which is the most important prayer of the week for Muslims.
Farid Ahmed, whose wife Husna was killed at Masjid An-Nur, spoke to the congregation, praising them for not responding with hate, but through “love, patience and with peace” while the world watched on.
“We have been suffering but we have chosen peace because we want to show the world that Muslims love peace, Islam loves peace and the Christchurch community loves peace.”
He described the 51 martyrs as “the heroes of the world” who died peacefully and honourably at their place of worship.
“They received bullets in a peaceful way, they were peaceful worshippers, we are proud of them.”
After the service, Masjid An-Nur spokesman Tony Green said there was a “profound calmness” among the congregation, which was bigger than usual, with overseas and out-oftown visitors.
“It’s moving for us to hear a beautiful recitation of the Quran,” Green said. A fellow Muslim told him they were “shivering” when they heard the words, which Muslims believed was the voice of God.
Gamal Fouda, imam of the Deans
Ave mosque where 42 people were killed, centred his sermon on what’s being called The Christchurch Invitation, where the community reflects on the tragedy and talks about how they move forward.
Green said the essence of Imam Fouda’s sermon was that “Allah is in control of everything” and urges patience.
“It was based on some words of the Prophet when he migrated from Mecca to Medina, essentially saying that every person has an obligation to do charity — and it’s not just disbursement of wealth by wealthy people but charity is offering a good word, helping the weak, something that everyone can do. Everything is rewarded, even a smile.”
The imam, who survived the attack on March 15, called on Muslims to lead by example and to “follow a path of healing”.
“We feel crucially, critically that this is the way we must go forward,” Green said.
“If the people died last year, they have to have died for a purpose and we must be faithful to that. And that’s an invitation for everybody, wherever you are, whatever your beliefs are, to work for the good.”
Linwood Islamic Centre Imam Alabi Lateef also gave a khutbah, or sermon, in Arabic before speaking in English.
Ardern earlier spoke at a large press conference at the Christchurch Justice Precinct attended by several major international news outlets, and said New Zealanders had “fundamentally changed” since the attacks.
“But the challenge for us will be ensuring that in our everyday actions.
“And every opportunity where we see bullying, harassment, racism and discrimination, calling it out as a nation.”