Mujahid joins mourners for Friday prayers after Christchurch attack

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa with the brother of one of the Malaysian victims. (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa represented the government at the Friday prayers at Hagley Park South in Christchurch today, a week after the attack on two mosques there which left 50 dead and scores injured.

Mujahid, who left for Christchurch yesterday, said on his official Facebook account that he had met New Zealand government representatives and the Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand Nur Izzah Wong Mee Choo, as well as several Malaysians living in Christchurch.

He thanked the New Zealand government for showing concern and extending help to the affected people.

Malaysian Muhammad Haziq Mohd Tarmizi, 17, was among the 50 people killed in the March 15 attack on the mosques. Haziq’s father, Mohd Tarmizi Shuib, 42, and two other Malaysians, Muhammad Nazril Hisham Omar and Rahimi Ahmad, were injured in the massacre.

Mujahid, in an interview with Astro Awani, said the people should learn a lesson from such incidents.

“Today, many New Zealand women wore scarves as a sign of solidarity with Muslims and the families of the victims,” he said.

He added that the azan or call to prayer was sounded throughout the country today as a sign of respect for the victims.

The azan for Friday prayers was, for the first time, carried live over broadcast media in New Zealand today.

Observers at the prayers at Hagley Park South remained silent for the duration of the azan by imam Lateef. - FMT