‘Scarves in Solidarity’ in NZ urges support for Muslims

ANKARA

A New Zealander spearheaded an event Thursday to show solidarity with the victims of terror attacks that claimed at least 50 lives last week in Christchurch.

Raewyn Rasch started the "Scarves in Solidarity" campaign, encouraging women to wear a scarf around head to support Muslim women of Christchurch.

“This is a personal response to the Christchurch terror attacks and a simple gesture on Friday 22 March to support our Muslim community,” Rasch said on the event page on Facebook.

On Wednesday, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also encouraged women in the country to wear headscarves when attending two moments of silence during a memorial service to be held on Friday as a gesture of respect for the victims.

International attention has been drawn to New Zealand since last week’s terror attacks, bringing the rising Islamophobia in Western countries to focus.

Friday marks the first week since the terrorist attacks, in which at least 50 Muslims were killed when a terrorist opened fire on worshipers during weekly Friday prayers at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The terrorist streamed the massacre for 17 minutes on his social media platform.

Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian, is being charged for the massacre.