CHRISTCHURCH – With many of them hearing the Muslim call to prayer, or adhan, for the first time, many New Zealanders have rushed to social media to share their reflections and express solidarity with Muslims, the Muslim Vibe reported.
“Today’s call to prayer was deeply moving. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear the call to prayer the same way ever again,” Ben Martell wrote on Twitter.
“I feel as though it is now part of my own cultural identity as a New Zealander – a part of who we are. No longer an outsider looking in.”
Today’s call to prayer was deeply moving. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear the call to prayer the same way ever again. I feel as though it is now part of my own cultural identity as a New Zealander – a part of who we are. No longer an outsider looking in.
— Ben Martell (@golden8284) March 22, 2019
New Zealand came together on Friday, March 22, to support the Muslim community as national TV aired adhan and Jum`ah prayer for the first time.
The prayer is held one week after a terrorist attacked two mosques in Christchurch, killing 50 and injuring many.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined thousands of mourners near the Al-Noor mosque, one of two places of worship targeted in last Friday’s terrorist attacks.
Earlier, Ardern encouraged as many New Zealanders as possible to use the day to pause and reflect.
As the adhan aired on national TV, many were hearing it for the first time.
New Zealand has just stopped to hear the Muslim call to prayer and to observe two minutes of silence. Let’s hang on to this moment of collective civility in the time to come.
— Giovanni Tiso (@gtiso) March 22, 2019
When the call to prayer rang out, everyone where I am bowed their heads and were silent, the sorrow the nation feels was so palpable, I could barely hold back tears. I’ve never felt connected to other Kiwis like this, may we use this to make sure that this never happens again.
— TouchMyPoly® Ph.D. (@TouchMyPoly) March 22, 2019
When the call to prayer rang out, everyone where I am bowed their heads and were silent, the sorrow the nation feels was so palpable, I could barely hold back tears. I’ve never felt connected to other Kiwis like this, may we use this to make sure that this never happens again.
— TouchMyPoly® Ph.D. (@TouchMyPoly) March 22, 2019
The call to prayer echoes over Christchurch a week after the twin mosque massacre by a white supremacist. A remarkable sight and a powerful rebuke to the hatred unleashed that day pic.twitter.com/SsqNvQsfa6
— Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) March 22, 2019
It takes all my strength just to control it day to day, of course I have cried about 7 times today obviously.
— Foxy #WeAreOne (@FoxyLustyGrover) March 22, 2019
The Adhan is the call to announce that it is time for a particular obligatory Salah (ritual prayer).
The Adhan is raised five times a day.