New Zealand shooting: Prime minister Jacinda Ardern receives worldwide support for her response to terrorist attack
Leader vows to never repeat the attacker's name in order to deny him the notoriety he sought
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.People across the world are showing their support for New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s response after last week’s terrorist attack at two mosques, which killed 50 people.
Ms Ardern has vowed to change the country’s gun laws, help pay the funeral costs of the victims, and says she will refuse to say the gunman’s name so as to deny him notoriety – instead encouraging people to “speak the names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted a photo of Ms Ardern hugging a Muslim woman and pointed to how the prime minister, when in London last year, had talked about “the importance of inclusivity and equality in society.”
Conservative MP Nick Boles called her refusal to name the attacker “tremendously powerful”.
Adil Ray, a British actor and TV presenter, said he was “really impressed” with Ms Ardern for her “swift, strong leadership”.
Cihangir Islam, a Turkish lawmaker from an opposition party, also praised Ms Ardern on Twitter, saying that she “says to Muslims in pain, ‘You, you’re us!’ She symbolically covers her head when she goes to a home for condolences; she boldly underlines her respect and solidarity. How thirsty we have become for justice and mercy in state administration”.
In contrast, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyib Erdogan was criticised after playing livestreamed footage of the attack during a rally – seen as an attempt to garner support ahead of elections.
Faiza Ali, a community organiser, justice activist, and founder of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, said on twitter: “Among the many faces & stories I’ll remember from the #ChristChurchMosque tragedy, I will never forget Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. What a remarkable leader.”
Donald Trump has not publicly commented on Ms Ardern’s response to the attack, instead criticising the "Fake News Media" and what he called its "ridiculous" attempts to blame him for the attack.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments