Within Hours of the Christchurch Mosque Attacks, People of Various Faiths Rallied around Muslims
By Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN
Churches are opening their doors after mosques were told to close for security issues in the wake of the Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attacks. Mosques are receiving messages of solidarity and flowers. A fundraising for the victims is nearing $400,000. And a UK-based national forum for Christian-Muslim engagement is calling on Christians to go along to Friday prayers at their local mosques -- a call the archbishop of Canterbury endorsed.
These are only a few examples of how people and institutions are showing solidarity and offering help to Muslim communities all over the world after Friday's shooting attacks on two Christchurch mosques that killed at least 49 people and seriously injured 20 others.
In some of the worst terror attacks and mass shootings of recent years, Muslim communities have stepped up to help in different ways. In the aftermath of October's Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, for example, the Muslim-American nonprofit groups CelebrateMercy and MPower Change launched a crowdfunding appeal that raised thousands for the victims.
Immediately after Friday's attacks in Christchurch, the Te Atatū Baptist Church in Auckland, New Zealand, announced on Facebook it was opening its doors to Muslims because mosques had been closed.
"Tonight we will open up The Meeting Place from 7pm to 8pm for prayer for Christchurch. Come and light a candle, say a silent prayer and stand with our fellow kiwis. All welcome," the post said.
"We especially invite the Muslim community whose mosques have been closed, to come and join us tonight."
Other landmark churches, such as St. Paul's Cathedral in London, said it was offering prayers during daily services for those affected by the shootings in New Zealand. "We pray too for our Muslim friends and (neighbors) here and around the world," the church said on Twitter.
