“No punishment will bring back the victims of the Christchurch mosque terror attack”
Cheers and tears filled the air outside the court in Christchurch as the terrorist who attacked two mosques in the city last year, killing 51 people, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The imam of Al Noor mosque, Gamal Fouda, welcomed justice delivered for such a “heinous crime,” AFP reported.
“No punishment will bring our loved ones back. We respect our justice system and the New Zealand Muslim community and non-Muslims…stood together as role models for the world.
“Extremists represent hate, but we are here today. We represent love [and] compassion. Both Muslim and non-Muslim. We are very proud that we are Muslims in New Zealand and will continue to serve this country.”
Choose the Best
Linwood Mosque Imam Abdul Alabi Lateef asked the public to choose the best in their life to be kind.
“Wherever you come from in the world, you were born the same. The same way you were born, we live the same way and we die the same way,” he says.
“There is no difference between any of us. Your identity, your behaviour differentiates you.
“When you are good then you are the best, when you care for life, you are the best.”
He thanked New Zealand in his moving address and had a message for the public.
“Please always choose the best in your life to be kind, clean from the inside, you’ll remain the best till you die.”
Outside the High Court in Christchurch, many people were tearful as others cheered the life sentence without parole for the terrorist.
The gallery below shows how New Zealanders react to the sentencing:
Brenton Tarrant was today sentenced to life without parole, meaning he will never be eligible to leave jail.
“Your crimes are so wicked that even if you are detained until you die, it will not exhaust the requirements of punishment,” said Judge Cameron Mander in a Christchurch court on Thursday.
Tarrant appeared largely emotionless over the past three days, as almost 90 victims – some grieving, others defiant – confronted him.