Pakistanis show solidarity with Christchurch victims

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Thousands of Pakistanis have made a unique show of solidarity to comfort the families of the victims of last month’s mosque shooting in New Zealand.

Over 20,000 people gathered in the town of Jhang in the northeastern Punjab province on Friday to form an image of the Al-Noor Mosque, one of two mosques where an accused white supremacist killed 51 worshipers in March, including nine of Pakistani origin.

Naeem Rasheed, one of the victims who tried to stopped the attacker and protect his fellow Muslims, was declared a hero by the Pakistani government and international media.

Clad in snow-white shalwar kameez (local dress) and sporting white prayer caps, people from all walks of life dedicated the event to the victims of the Christchurch shooting, a gesture the victims’ families said gave them comfort.

“We are still in pain and grief as we miss our son. But seeing the people who otherwise have no relation to us gather and share our pain, is a great source of comfort,” Muzzafar Khan, the uncle of Syed Areeb Ahmad, one of the Pakistanis slain in the cold-blooded shooting, told Anadolu Agency.

The Jhang march took place days before Areeb’s family is set to observe chelum, a memorial service observed by many Muslims on the 40th day after a loved one’s passing.

The event was organized by the Muslim Institute, an NGO aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Muslim world.

“We are going to remember our loved one. But before that he was remembered by thousands of others. It was very touching,” Khan added.

“We are thankful to the organizers, the people of Pakistan and from across the globe who have shared our pain, and stood beside us at this trying time,” he said, commending the response of the New Zealand government, especially Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

“The way she responded to the tragedy was phenomenal. She turned out to be a true statesman,” he said.

Khan, however, appeared to be unhappy with the Pakistani government, which he said had not kept its promises to the victims’ families, especially naming a university and some main streets after the Christchurch martyrs.