The New Lynn attack took place two-and-a-half years after the mosque shooting terror attacks in Christchurch, which were carried out by a right-wing extremist and resulted in the death of 51 worshippers. A further 40 people were wounded.
The Muslim Association of Canterbury, which runs the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, created a GiveALittle page to raise donations for the victims of yesterday's attack. They have raised almost $5,000 in the last 11 hours.
The chair of the Federation of Islamic Associations Abdur Razzaq said the attack had resurrected the trauma and sadness of the March 15 terror. He said first and foremost they were praying for the victims, and thinking of the Countdown staff.
He thanked the police for their bravery, along with ambulance and hospital staff, acknowledging that in "this time of Covid, it's another layer of pressure."
A spokesperson for the Islamic Women's Council Anjum Rahman said with the experience of March 15, and knowing the widespread trauma it caused "we're really really hoping [the victims] pull through."
She said she thinks New Zealand's response to the March 15 attacks was exemplary. "I have faith in the fact that Kiwis will be doing exactly the same...We have big hearts, and I know that we won't want to be causing harm."
Abdur Razzaq said there's no place for [hatemongers], in what he called "the land of the long safe cloud."
