UAE expresses gratitude towards NZ PM Jacinda Ardern for supporting Muslim community, projects her picture on Burj Khalifa

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Friday thanked New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for the ‘sincere empathy’ towards Muslims after the Christchurch mosque shootings last week that left at least 49 dead in two mosques.

The country also projected the New Zealand Prime Minister’s image on the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure in Dubai. His Highness Rashid Al Maktoum took to Twitter to post the image along with a thanking message for supporting the Muslim community.

“New Zealand today fell silent in honour of the mosque attacks’ martyrs. Thank you PM @jacindaardern and New Zealand for your sincere empathy and support that has won the respect of 1.5 billion Muslims after the terrorist attack that shook the Muslim community around the world,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand government banned military-style semi-automatic guns and assault rilfes, six days after a lone wolf attack in Christchurch claimed lives of 50 Muslims. 

Muslims offering prayers in mosques on March 15, Friday, were targeted by a white supremacist terrorist, named Brenton Tarrant- who opened fire at the worshippers. Tarrant also live-streamed his gruesome act on Facebook for 17 minutes and police believe that the accused had single-handedly carried out the terror attack at both the mosques under a span of 36 minutes during the Friday prayers for which a large number of worshippers had congregated.

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

Several New Zealanders also participated in Headscarves for Harmony campaign on Friday, wherein women wore headscarves and men donned shawls on their shoulders in bid to stand in solidarity with the Muslim community. In addition, a two-minute silence was also observed in the country on Friday.

(With inputs from ANI)