ANKARA
Global condemnations have poured in following Friday’s Christchurch terrorist attack in New Zealand, which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described as "one of the darkest days".
New Zealand police said at least 49 people had been killed in mass shootings at two mosques in the Christchurch area. Three suspects have been detained so far.
Gunmen, who streamed the incident live for 17 minutes on social media, fired multiple shots during Friday prayers at the Al-Noor and Linwood Mosques. The footage has since been removed from social-media platforms.
Expressing solidarity with the victims, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the incident as the “latest example of rising racism and Islamophobia”.
"I strongly condemn the terror attack against the Al-Noor Mosque in #NewZealand and Muslim worshippers," Erdogan tweeted.
Confirming that at least one gunman involved in the attack was Australian-born, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his country stood in solidarity with New Zealand in the wake of the attack.
“We stand here and condemn absolutely the attack that occurred today by an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist,” Morrison told reporters.
“We are not just allies; we are not just partners; we are family,” he added.
Jakarta likewise expressed its outrage over the incident, announcing that at least six of its nationals had been at the Al Noor Mosque at the time.
“The fact that there were shootings in mosques during prayer is something that we should condemn,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said at a press conference.
“We continue to communicate to ensure the condition of three other Indonesian citizens who currently can’t be contacted,” he added.
At least 330 Indonesian citizens reportedly live in Christchurch, 134 of whom are students.
'Black tragedy'
Wahidullah Waissi, Afghanistan’s ambassador to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, meanwhile, confirmed that at least one man of Afghan origin had been shot by the gunmen.
“I am receiving terrible news out of Christchurch mosques’ shootings. My thoughts are with the family of an Afghan origin [individual] who’s been shot and killed at this heinous incident and with three other Afghans who are injured,” Waissi tweeted.
“Watching this closely as the situation is still unfolding,” he added.
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's prime minister-in-waiting, described the attack as a “black tragedy facing humanity and universal peace”, going on to note that at least one Malaysian national had been hurt in the attack.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, for her part, said her country "stands shoulder-to-shoulder against such terror acts".
"I mourn with the New Zealanders for their fellow citizens, who were peacefully praying when attacked in their mosques and murdered out of racist hatred," Merkel said in a statement.
Russia was also quick to express its condemnation of the incident.
"We are shocked by this terrible atrocity and, on behalf of the [Russian] Foreign Ministry, express our deep sorrow and support for New Zealand," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in the capital Moscow.
Serbia distances from attacker
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic condemned the attack and distanced the country from the attacker.
"Serbia has nothing to do with it...We condemn this type of abuse, which is detrimental to Serbian interests.
"I want to point out that many countries tolerated terrorist movements, calling them liberators, helping them develop and fighting them only when actions against them started around the world," he told reporters.
Footage of the attack showed the attacker was inspired by Serbian nationalists.
'Terror knows no religion'
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also condemned the deadly attack, saying: "Terrorism knows no religion".
“I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam and 1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim,” Khan tweeted.
“This has been done deliberately to demonize legitimate Muslim political struggles,” he added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "deep shock" at the incident.
Kamal Faruqui, founder of the All India Muslim Personal Board, a non-profit group that advocates for the rights of India’s Muslim minority, also condemned the attack.
“An anti-Muslim virus is spreading across the world. People of all religions should be very worried,” he was quoted as saying.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent cleric and resistance leader in Indian-administered Kashmir, likewise expressed shock over the incident.
“Shocked and deeply grieved by the barbaric attack at twin mosques in #Christchurch New Zealand. Multiple fatalities feared. Once again humanity becomes a casualty. Condemnation beyond words. Prayers for the victims,” Mirwaiz said on Twitter.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the shooting and extended her condolences to the government and people of New Zealand.
“We are deeply shocked to learn the shooting incidents at two mosques in Christchurch of New Zealand. We strongly condemn this dastardly act of terrorism,” she said, in a message to the New Zealand prime minster soon after the attacks, reported state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
Arab world
Qatar, also condemned “the terrorist and brutal attack” in New Zealand.
In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry offered its condolences to families of the victims, and to the government and people of New Zealand.
“We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on two mosques in #NewZealand," Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani tweeted.
Egypt’s Al-Azhar, meanwhile, the highest seat of religious scholarship in the Sunni-Muslim world, described the attack as “a dangerous indicator of the rise of hate speech and Islamophobia”.
Jordan, for its part, expressed similar outrage, with Jordanian government spokeswoman Jumana Ghneimat stressing her country’s total rejection of terrorism.
Morocco's Islamic, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, meanwhile, described Friday’s carnage as "a heinous act of terrorism and a crime against humanity, indicating the emergence extremist racist groups that hate Islam".
* Islamuddin Sajid in Islamabad, Ali Abo Rezeg in Ankara, Ayhan Simsek in Germany, Elena Teslova in Moscow, Najmus Sakib in Dhaka, Aadil Ahmad in Chandigarh, Talha Ozturk in Belgrade and Nicky Aulia Widadio in Jakarta contributed to this story
