Christchurch, New Zealand, March 15, 2019. The world was yet again shaken by a terror attack that left no less than 50 innocent people dead and a further 50 injured.
The attack, believed to have its grounding in far-right extremism and Islamophobia, involved a man gunning down unsuspecting Muslims at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Center.
Prayers and tributes to the fallen have flooded in from around the world as New Zealand seeks to regroup and recover, though there can be no doubt that people remain shaken by this most hideous of crimes.
And yet, in the wake of such disasters so often do humans prove their incredible ability to stand together and stand defiant.
It’s been no different in this instance, with thousands of people visiting both mosques to leave tributes and pay their respects to the fallen.
Tributes
Perhaps one of the most poignant to stand out came on Sunday 17th, when a biker gang performed the traditional Maori ceremonial dance, the Haka, for their own nod to those who lost their lives.
Mangu Kaha Aotearoa, one of the bikers, said shortly before the dance: “We’re here to express our love, sadness that this has happened here in our community. This is all our community.”
The Haka, known across the world, is a traditional ceremonial or challenge dance in Maori culture, and is often performed at funerals or other large events.
It serves as the perfect reminder that New Zealand, and indeed the world, will not bow to the pressures of terrorism. We will not flinch and hide, nor change our ways of life in the face of those intent on committing heinous and callous acts.
Watch the video below to see the incredible dance:
Haka tribute to Christchurch victims
This is beautiful. #Maori members of Black Power gang perform Haka in tribute to those murdered in #Christchurch.
Posted by Hassan Ghani on Sunday, March 17, 2019
Black, white, brown, or green … it doesn’t matter what color we are, what creed we stand for, we must band together to ensure peace and prosperity moving forward.
Terrorism has no place in this world, and the sooner we’re able to completely eradicate it, the better! Share this article if you will not be cowed!
