After 50 people were murdered in a deadly attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15, it didn’t take long for fake news to start popping up online. Some social media users shared misleading videos allegedly showing attacks on churches and mass conversions to Islam. We debunked some of the videos below Read more
New Zealand
After the vigils and prayers, what next?
Thursday, March 21st, 2019
Some people are starting to ask hard questions about what will happen next. Will the nation just “move on”? “We will condemn this horrifying act of violence as extreme and out of the ordinary, we will come together as a nation and hold vigils, and we will try to move on from this tragic incident,” Read more
Strangers pray on the floor of the House
Thursday, March 21st, 2019
On Tuesday the speaker of New Zealand’s parliament, the right honourable Trevor Mallard, invited a multi-faith group into the House to join him as an imam led them in prayer. It was the first time Parliament had opened with a Muslim prayer, to the best knowledge of the Speaker’s Office. The interfaith group included representatives Read more
Muslim and Catholic schools perform haka and waiata in tribute
Thursday, March 21st, 2019
On the weekend, a Catholic school that lost one its old boys in the Christchurch mosque attack paid tribute by performing a haka and waiata. And on Wednesday At Al-Madinah School in Māngere, Auckland, a haka, prayer and waiata rang out at an assembly to remember those affected by the Christchurch mosque shootings. St Thomas of Read more
Kenyan Kiwi’ named bishop-elect for Nelson Anglican Diocese
Thursday, March 21st, 2019Nelson’s new Anglican bishop-elect is a proud “Kenyan Kiwi” with a mission to reach out to younger generations. Reverend Steve Maina-Mwangi was announced as Bishop-elect of the Nelson Diocese this week, replacing Richard Ellena who retired at the end of last year. Read more
Over 220 children in state care abused over six months
Thursday, March 21st, 2019More than 220 children who were removed from their families to keep them safe went on to be harmed in state care over a six-month period. As of June last year, there were 6350 children and young people in state care in New Zealand. Between July and September, 130 of them were found to have Read more
Joint Statement by National Church Leaders
Thursday, March 21st, 2019The National Church Leaders gathered in Wellington today (Tuesday 19th March 2019) to express their profound horror at the terrible violence towards Muslim people in Christchurch mosques last Friday. We are deeply saddened by these tragic events and we strongly condemn these acts of racial hatred and murder. We feel very deeply for our fellow Read more
Neighbouring Muslim and Christian communities grieve together
Monday, March 18th, 2019
On Sunday afternoon the Catholic bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn, led a service in Sacred Heart Church that was attended by a large number of men and women from the Al-Masjid Al-Jamie mosque. The church was packed to overflowing with many dozens more outside and across the road outside the mosque. The mosque and the church Read more
Our grief threatens to overwhelm our community
Monday, March 18th, 2019
Calling the city’s grief “raw and real,” New Zealand Bishop Paul Martin of Christchurch called on people to overcome hate with love after Friday’s attack on two mosques in the city left 50 people dead. “We are unable to express the confusion and pain we feel. “Our grief threatens to overwhelm our community at the Read more
Islamic Women’s Council not surprised by attack on mosque
Monday, March 18th, 2019
Anjum Rahman, a spokesperson of the Islamic Women’s Council New Zealand (IWCNZ), says she was not surprised by the attack on the Masjid Al Noor and the Linwood Masjid mosques. She said IWCNZ has been engaging with both the previous and current government for several years, asking for support. Rahman said she did not think the council’s Read more