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Published 15:26 IST, March 18th 2019

After announcing gun law reforms, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern mourns with the families of Christchurch terror attack victims, draws praise for decisive steps

A grieving New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has latched the attention of the world, for her commendable compassion and leadership following the barbaric terror attack on worshippers inside two mosques in Christchurch on Friday.

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
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A grieving New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has latched the attention of the world, for her commendable compassion and leadership following the barbaric terror attack on worshippers inside two mosques in Christchurch on Friday.

The youngest female head of the government in the world, wore a sombre Hijab to meet the families of the victims from the Muslim community and embraced them in empathy has garnered immense admiration from across the world, overflowing on social media. 

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Ardern, following the despicable terror attack, has immediately called to tighten the gun laws in the country to restrict access to some firearms, specifically the semi-automatic weapons such as the AR-15 rifle, that was used by the perpetrator. 

READ| New Zealand Citizens Open To Gun Reform After Massacre

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Addressing the media on the same evening of the attack, the Prime Minister of New Zealand said, "We are a proud nation of more than 200 ethnicities, 160 languages. And amongst that diversity, we share common values. And the one that we place the currency on right now is our compassion and support for the community of those directly affected by this tragedy. And secondly, the strongest possible condemnation of the ideology of the people who did this. You may have chosen us – we utterly reject and condemn you." 

Ardern, who was the second world leader to give birth while still in office, became the social media persona who held the distressed nation together with an approach to act upon the racism infiltrated, in an otherwise peaceful country. She not only offered to cover the finances for the funeral of the victims, but also provide financial assistance to the families. 

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Addressing the country she said, "We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we are an enclave for extremism."

Here is how social media is commending the Prime Minister of New Zealand: 

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READ| New Zealand Government To Announce Gun Reforms Within 10 Days

 

15:03 IST, March 18th 2019