New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has visited Kilbirnie Mosque in the capital Wellington, two days after the terror attacks on mosques in Christchurch. The death toll of the attacks now stands at 50.

Wearing a black headscarf and embracing mourners, she was seen consoling the mosque-goers and was visibly moved as she spoke with them.

After her visit, Ardern said, “The message was one of gratitude for the outpouring of love that they have experienced from the people of Wellington, and an acknowledgement of the grief that the community feels.” Ardern went on to speak of New Zealand’s gun laws.

She said they "need to change, regardless of what activity may or may not have happened with gun retailers. They will change."

A police spokesman in Christchurch described the attacks as “unprecedented”, and indeed they are the worst ever committed against the Muslim community in a Western country.

Noble acts of courage among the victims

Tales of heroism have been emerging as survivors give their accounts of the attacks. Farid Ahmad’s wife Husna was killed when she rushed back inside to rescue him. The couple were attending the Al Noor Mosque, the first to be targeted, and Husna was seen helping get worshippers out of the women’s and children’s halls.

Heading back inside to find Farid, who is in a wheelchair, she was killed.

When asked if he could forgive the perpetrator, now believed to be a lone attacker identified as Brenton Tarrant, Mr Ahmad said, “Of course. The best thing is forgiveness, generosity, loving and caring, positivity."

In the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May released a statement where she said, “The UK stands ready to support New Zealand however we can.

Through terror attacks that have taken place on UK soil, we know only too well the pain that such horrifying attacks can cause.”

Four arrested in Greater Manchester for racist abuse

Meanwhile, four people have been arrested in separate incidents in the UK following racist abuse concerning the attacks.

Officers attended Rochdale after receiving reports that a taxi driver was harassed with threatening language related to the events in New Zealand. A man and woman were arrested.

Separately and also in Rochdale, a woman was arrested and kept for questioning following comments made online. A man in Oldham was also held by police after pledging his support for the attacker online.

Russ Jackson, Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, described these actions as “frankly disgusting” and stressed they would not be tolerated. He emphasised that these were, however, a “small number” of incidents, and stated, “It is absolutely clear that compassion, support is how the overwhelming majority of people feel and, as always, Greater Manchester stands together.”

Manchester was the site of the Arena attack which claimed 22 lives and injured 139 in 2017.
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