The world's tallest building - the 829m-high Burj Khalifa in Dubai - has been lit up in praise of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's response to the attacks. Source / Twitter
The world's tallest building - the 829m-high Burj Khalifa in Dubai - has been lit up in praise of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's response to the attacks. Source / Twitter
South Africa's Muslim community has written an open letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, praising her response to the Christchurch terror attacks as "truly heart-warming".
The letter - from 70 South African groups including the South African Muslim Network, the Union of Muslim Students Association and the South African NationalMuslim Womens Forum - expressed the community's "deepest appreciation for the kindness and compassion that you have demonstrated".
"Your words and actions are truly heart-warming. The manner in which your citizens rallied to embrace the Muslim community and sincerely shared in its grief is a lesson to the world.
"We wish you and your country strength in this time of sorrow and pray that the future of New Zealand is one of enduring peace and security," said the letter, which runs in tomorrow's Herald newspaper.
The Muslim world has reacted to New Zealand's response and Ardern's leadership to the attacks with widespread praise.
Earlier, the world's tallest building – the 829m-high Burj Khalifa in Dubai – was lit up with an image of a hijab-clad Ardern hugging a woman in the wake of the killings, along with the words salaam, and its English translation, peace.
United Arab Emirates prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted: "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."
Along with petitions to get Ardern nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, the world's media have lauded our prime minister.
Ardern has played down her own efforts, telling an Auckland vigil: "I believe what I have done has not been about leadership ... All I have done is simply echoed the humanity of New Zealanders."
The letter was signed by:
South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) Salaamedia National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa (AWQAF-SA) Minara Chamber of Commerce Al-Imdaad Foundation Al Ghazzali College Muslim Education Institute Trust Madina Institute South Africa Radio Alansaar Southern Africa Dawah Network The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa Jamiatul Ulama KZN Benoni Ladies Forum Altawheed Foundation ILM-SA Jellybeans Educational Fund Al-Huda Educational Institute Al-Habib College South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA) Markaz AlAlfalah Jamia Faiz Ul Uloom Ul Islamia Madrasah Aisha Siddiqah Darul Iftaa (W.Cape) Jamia Islamia Aalamiyys Skaapkral Ladysmith Mosque & Madressa Trust South African National Muslim Womens Forum i24 Outreach SA Sirius FM Radio Radio Islam International Darul Ihsan Humanitarian Centre Muslim Judicial Council Islamic Medical Association (IMA) Lenasia Active Citizenry YAB's Advisory Services Nurul Islam Centre Lenasia Channel Islam International Radio Witbank Muslim Jamaat The Voice of the Cape radio Assist Africa Springs Islamic Institute Springs Muslim School For the Sake of Daughters Org The Humanitarian Development Alliance SA (HUDA SA) Islamic Propagation Centre International (IPCI) Nurul Latief Islamic Association Islamic Lifestyle Solutions Islamic Burial Council Al Khairaat Foundation Association of Muslim Accountants & Lawyers (AMAL) Muslim Seafarers Institute Springs Islamic Institute Springs Muslim School Queensburgh Islamic Society Union of Arab Community of South Africa Young Leaders Academy KhamissaVahed Public Speaking and Leadership Academy Ladysmith Dawah Centre Trust Nylstroom Muslim Community Org. Islamic Interfaith Research Institute Union of Muslim Students Association (South Africa) Muslim Views Darul Yatama wal Masakeen Juma Musjid Trust Darul Uloom jamiatul Madinah Lenasia Vaal Muslim Women's Forum National Independent Halaal Trust Marlboro Women's Forum Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa Sunni Ulema Council (Cape) Sunni Ulema Council (KZN)
