- They will perform Hajj as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques鈥� Guest Program for Hajj and Umrah
- New Zealand 鈥榟umbled by support from Kingdom,鈥� envoy tells Arab News
JEDDAH: Relatives of victims of the Christchurch mosque terrorist attack in New Zealand will take part in the Hajj pilgrimage next month as guests of King Salman of 抖阴短视频.
The invitation to the 200 pilgrims was announced on Wednesday by Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh.
Hosting the families during the Hajj season is part of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 efforts to 鈥渃onfront and defeat terrorism鈥� in all its forms, the minister said.
The 200 pilgrims will perform Hajj as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques鈥� Guest Program for Hajj and Umrah, and the ministry will liaise with the Saudi Embassy in New Zealand to ensure it goes smoothly.
鈥淣ew Zealand has been humbled by the support we have received from the Kingdom of 抖阴短视频 following the Christchurch terror attack on our Muslim community,鈥� James Munro, New Zealand鈥檚 ambassador to 抖阴短视频, told Arab News.
鈥淭his includes words of support from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the attendance at the national memorial service by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, and a generous donation of $1 million to the victims鈥� families by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
鈥淭his latest act of generosity by the king is deeply appreciated by New Zealand and will be hugely meaningful to the families of those who died, and to the survivors.鈥�
A total of 51 people died and 49 were wounded when a 28-year-old Australian white supremacist opened fire on worshippers at Al-Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch during Friday prayers on the afternoon of March 15. His trial on 51 charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder is due to begin in May 2020.
鈥淭he New Zealand government, police and media have agreed not to name the terrorist to deny him a platform, or publicity,鈥� Munro said. 鈥淭he victims will be remembered. He will not.鈥�
Last year more that 1.75 million pilgrims from abroad performed Hajj, according to figures from the Saudi General Directorate of Passports.
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Salih Bentin, reiterated the Kingdom鈥檚 call to pilgrims to dedicate their time to performing Hajj rituals, and to be considerate of their fellow pilgrims.
They must focus on feeling the spirituality of the journey and distance themselves from distractions, such as sectarian or political slogans, the minister said. 鈥淭he Kingdom will not tolerate conduct that disturbs Hajj rituals, and the authorities will take the necessary measures to prevent them.鈥�
An armed police officer (R) stands guard outside the Al Noor mosque, one of the mosques where some 50 people were killed by a self-avowed white supremacist gunman on March 15, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (AFP file photo)