World leaders condemn New Zealand mosque attacks
The international reaction to the New Zealand mosque shootings has been one of outright condemnation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was shocked at the “terrible” attacks that killed dozens of worshippers attending Friday prayers in two mosques in Christchurch.
Mr Sanchez sent condolences to the victims, their families and the government of New Zealand.
Conmocionado por los terribles ataques en Christchurch. Mi pésame y apoyo a las víctimas, a sus familias y al Gobierno de Nueva Zelanda. Nuestra rotunda condena a la violencia y la sinrazón de los fanatismos y los extremismos que quieren quebrar nuestras sociedades. https://t.co/TMpHVj5x2o
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) March 15, 2019
Indonesia’s foreign minister Retno Marsudi said: “Indonesia strongly condemns this shooting act, especially at a place of worship while a Friday prayer was ongoing.”
Indonesia, the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country, said six nationals were inside the mosque when the attack occurred, and two were injured.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and friends affected by the horrific and unprecedented shooting, including the 2 Indonesian citizens injured in the incident.
There is no place for such acts in New Zealand or anywhere else in the world.
— Menteri Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (@Menlu_RI) March 15, 2019
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attacks as “the latest example of rising racism and Islamophobia”.
Mr Erdogan said on Twitter: “On behalf of my country, I offer my condolences to the Islamic world and the people of New Zealand, who have been targeted by this deplorable act.”
On behalf of my country, I offer my condolences to the Islamic world and the people of New Zealand, who have been targeted by this deplorable act – the latest example of rising racism and Islamophobia.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RT_Erdogan) March 15, 2019
Germany’s foreign minister said the attacks are a “brutal crime” that touches everyone.
In two tweets, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Germany’s sympathies were with the friends and families of the victims.
Wir sind tief erschüttert von dem brutalen Verbrechen in #Christchurch.
In diesen schweren Stunden stehen wir fest an der Seite unserer neuseeländischen Freunde.
Unser ganzes Mitgefühl gilt den Familien und Freunden der Opfer. https://t.co/zgdbTZQXQz
— Heiko Maas (@HeikoMaas) March 15, 2019
He said the attack targeted peacefully praying Muslims, adding that if people are murdered solely because of their religion, then it is “an attack on all of us”.
Der grausame Terroranschlag in #Christchurch trifft friedlich betende Muslime. Wenn Menschen allein wegen ihrer Religion ermordet werden, ist das ein Angriff auf uns alle. Wir stehen zusammen an der Seite der Opfer. Stay strong, New Zealand!
— Heiko Maas (@HeikoMaas) March 15, 2019
Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, tweeted “heartfelt condolences” to New Zealand on Friday.
Mr Gargash wrote: “Our collective work against violence & hate must continue with renewed vigor. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims.”
Heartfelt condolences to Gov & people of peaceful New Zeland on terrorist mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. Our collective work against violence & hate must continue with renewed vigor. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) March 15, 2019
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said “terrorism does not have a religion”.
He added: “I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam & 1.3 bn Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim.”
Shocked and strongly condemn the Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attack on mosques. This reaffirms what we have always maintained: that terrorism does not have a religion. Prayers go to the victims and their families.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2019
I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam & 1.3 bn Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim. This has been done deliberately to also demonize legitimate Muslim political struggles. https://t.co/5bBREoayLz
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2019
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen also tweeted her condolences, saying: “I’m utterly saddened by the mass shooting in Christchurch, #NewZealand. My thoughts go to the victims & their families.”
I’m utterly saddened by the mass shooting in Christchurch, #NewZealand. My thoughts go to the victims & their families. https://t.co/Ng36JFL71j
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) March 15, 2019
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said she was “shocked” by the attacks, saying “we condemn terrorism in all forms”.
Shocked by attack in Christchurch, New Zealand. We condemn terrorism in all forms. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones.
— Margot Wallström (@margotwallstrom) March 15, 2019
Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said extremism has again shown its “ugly face”, adding: “Thoughts go out to New Zealand and #Christchurch. We must continue to fight extremism and violence no matter the shape it comes in.”
Thoughts go out to New Zealand and #Christchurch. We must continue to fight extremism and violence no matter the shape it comes in.
— Anders Samuelsen (@anderssamuelsen) March 15, 2019