In solidarity, the Kiwis form a human chain outside a mosque in Wellington, New Zealand following the terror attack

In an act of a heinous hate-crime, after an Australian citizen opened fire on 50 worshippers in two mosques, a grieving New Zealand is combating Islamophobia in solidarity, setting an impressionable example for the world. 

Hundreds of Kiwis gathered outside a mosque in Wellington, New Zealand, locked their arms together to form human chain in a symbolic act of security to their Muslim community. 

After hearing the Muslim call to pray, people across maintained two minutes of silence. 

READ| After Announcing Gun Law Reforms, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Mourns With The Families Of Christchurch Terror Attack Victims, Draws Praise For Decisive Steps 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has managed to grab the world attention for her commendable compassion and leadership.

The youngest female head of a 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 early this week.

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. 

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." 

 From March 22, the Prime Minister has also put a ban on every semi-automatic weapon that was used in the terrorist attack  As the investigation continues into the attack, Ardern has also said an inquiry would look into intelligence and security services’ failures to detect the risk from the attacker or his plans.

(with PTI inputs)

READ| After Mosque Attacks, New Zealand Quickly Bans Assault Weapons