Jacinda Ardern emerges as beacon of hope for minorities

ANKARA

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has earned laurels for leading her country with grace and empathy in the aftermath of last week's twin terror attacks that claimed 50 lives.

In her first public statement following the attack on two mosques in Christchurch, she did not mince words in calling the incident terrorism and described it as the "darkest day of the country".

Friday marked exactly one week since a terrorist opened fire on the Al Noor and Linwood mosques. Ardern joined thousands of mourners for prayers in Hagley Park opposite Al Noor mosque wearing a black headscarf once again.

The 38-year-old leader had encouraged her country-women to wear headscarves at the prayer in a show of support for the Muslim community.

"According to the Muslim faith, the Prophet Muhammed, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam [peace be upon him], said the believers, in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body.

"When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain," she said.

"New Zealand mourns with you. We are one," she added.

A day after the attack, Ardern was first seen wearing a headscarf while visiting Muslim community leaders in Christchurch.

"This is not New Zealand. The only part of the incident we have seen over the past 24 to 36 hours that is New Zealand is the support that you are seeing now," she had said.

On Tuesday, a Muslim imam opened New Zealand's Parliament with a prayer. Ardern started her speech with the Muslim greeting "As-salamu alaykum" or "peace be upon you".

"They were New Zealanders, they were us. Because they were us, we mourn them," she said, speaking about the victims.

After stressing gun laws should change in the country, she announced Thursday to ban all military-style semi-automatics and assault rifles.

"On March 15, our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too. We are announcing action today on behalf of all New Zealanders to strengthen our gun laws and make our country a safer place," said Ardern.

Early life and politics

Ardern was born in 1980 in Waikato, New Zealand. In October 2017, at the age of 37 she became the country's youngest prime minister since the 1850s.

Less than eight weeks before the general elections, Andrew Little stepped down as leader of the Labour Party. He was replaced by Ardern in August.

She campaigned for free university education, cutting immigration flow, decriminalization of abortion, and the creation of new programs to alleviate poverty among children.

Her party won 36 percent of the votes and formed a coalition government with center-right New Zealand First party.