In the face of the terror attack in New Zealand on Friday, Muslim communities around the world came together and prayed, sharing a powerful message on Twitter.
Photos of packed mosques filled social media, accompanied by the hashtag #MyMosque just hours after terrorists went on a shooting spree at two mosques in Christchurch, killing 49 people. The attack was broadcast on Facebook Live. Four people were initially taken into custody, but police currently have three in custody, according to the New York Times. One person, Brenton Tarrant, has been charged with murder.
Mosques in major cities around the world heightened security following the attack. Those open for prayer were guarded by armed police officers in New York City, according to the New York Times.
The New York Police Department released a tweet committing “to the safety of all houses of worship and freedom to practice your religion freely without any fear.” Alongside the message, the NYPD shared a photo of an officer speaking to a group of men during Fajer prayer.
Extra NYPD officers have been deployed to visit Mosques through NYC during early morning (Fajer) prayers.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 15, 2019
The NYPD is committed to the safety of all houses of worship, and the freedom to practice your religion freely without any fear.#Christchurch pic.twitter.com/m1HLFO6sD5
Muslim digital advocacy organization MPower Change called for Muslims to use the #MyMosque hashtag along with photos of their mosques and prayer services. They called the move a “small action” that would show that the Muslim community “won’t be deterred or intimidated.”
Muslim communities responded with images of resilience.
In the face of this unspeakable tragedy, one small action we can take is to share photos of our mosques and prayer services on social media with the hashtag #MyMosque.
— Nahela Morales (@NahelaMorales) March 15, 2019
We are #UnapologeticallyMuslim—and we won’t be deterred or intimidated. #NZMosqueShooting pic.twitter.com/0YAAwAPzF8
And people found they weren’t alone. @Mohammad_Moussa shared that he arrived at his mosque early for Friday’s prayer and by the end, “it was packed to the brim.”
https://twitter.com/Mohammad_Moussa/status/1106663924605186048
“I want to reclaim a sense of peace in my house of worship. Peace the shooters tried to take from us,” @stobah wrote on Twitter.
This was #MyMosque today and inshallah always.
— Selma Tobah (@stobah) March 15, 2019
fin/ pic.twitter.com/lbJy19Qpnm
#MyMosque
— Dalia Hashim (@DaliaMHashim) March 15, 2019
The mosque was packed to the brim, MashaAllah pic.twitter.com/7MLNs8oWFT
https://twitter.com/aaminah_b/status/1106626037667037186
The Imam at Jumm’ah said: “A message (Islam) that challenges injustice and inequality is destined to receive hostility at the hands of those who profit from injustice and inequality.”#MyMosque pic.twitter.com/pfSqftUKYq
— إلهام (@maqadishaah) March 15, 2019
Guess what! We’re still going to our mosques. #MyMosque pic.twitter.com/eYKsTVvadm
— Mohammed El-Sayed Bushra || محمد السيّد بشرى (@mesbushra) March 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/rashiddar/status/1106617106605490176
“Yea, indeed: everyone who surrenders his whole being unto God, and is a doer of good withal, shall have his reward with his Sustainer; and all such need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve.”#MyMosque pic.twitter.com/pHOMyQXHsI
— Raquel Saraswati (@RaquelEvita) March 15, 2019
Not sure what’s the opposite of #peacefulmosques. Somebody knows a violent mosque?? Anyway #MyMosque in Hawaii was diverse. Ramadan was most fun. pic.twitter.com/FqmMXGmJQA
— Aria Ahrary 🇦🇫 🏝 🖕 (@aria_ahrary) March 15, 2019
Non-Muslim allies showed up to support their Muslim community members, too.
Outside a mosque in Sunderland, England. Restored faith in humanity. Thank you. ❤️ #MyMosque pic.twitter.com/Y979Wdq622
— Nahela Morales (@NahelaMorales) March 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/UrFavPali/status/1106638958107246592
Buranda Mosque a few mins ago! #SpreadLove #MyMosque #NewZealandMosqueAttack pic.twitter.com/IpxTHjQDmu
— Mr Munchies (@Abdullah_Osman) March 16, 2019
A stunning portrayal of solidarity where many have gathered outside the Islamic Center of NYU wishing worshipers words of support and love. Many Muslims are walking in with tears, overwhelmed by the kindness. pic.twitter.com/Lfrmi9hZ2m
— Rowaida Abdelaziz (@Rowaida_Abdel) March 15, 2019
H/T Huffington Post
READ MORE:
- New Zealand shooter, QAnon fans get their radicalization from the exact same place
- Reddit bans 2 prominent forums in wake of New Zealand shooting
- Trump Jr.’s New Zealand tweets prove he doesn’t understand the media
