People across New Zealand observed the Muslim call to prayer on Friday as the nation mourned the 50 people who were killed at two mosques in a far-right terrorist attack in Christchurch.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and thousands of others gathered in Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor mosque, to observe the ritual one week on from the fatal mass shooting.
“New Zealand mourns with you. We are one,” Ardern said.
New Zealand's Friday Prayers Tribute One Week On From Terror Attack
Survivors of the attack gather for Friday prayers(01 of08)
Injured victims from last week's mosque attacks commemorate the dead during Friday prayers at Hagley Park in Christchurch. People across New Zealand observed the Muslim call to prayer as the nation reflected on the moment one week ago when 50 people were slaughtered in the mass shooting. (credit:Associated Press)
Jacinda Ardern joins Friday prayers(02 of08)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, centre, took part in the Christchurch prayers. Since the attack she has called for international action to combat racism and her government moved swiftly to ban all semi-automatic weapons similar to the ones used by the alleged shooter. (credit:Associated Press)
Iman Gamal Fouda addresses the crowd(03 of08)
Imam Gamal Fouda addressed the gathering. Last week he was present when 42 members of his mosque were killed, but on Friday in his speech he said: "We are broken-hearted but not broken”. To the thousands of people who attended the service Fouda said: "We are here in our hundreds and thousands unified for one purpose – that hate will be undone and love will redeem us." (credit:Associated Press)
Thousands take part in Friday prayers in Christchurch(04 of08)
The Muslim call to prayer was attended by thousands and was broadcast on national television and radio at 13.30 (00:30 GMT), which was followed by a two-minute silence. (credit:Associated Press)
One of the survivors of the attack attending the prayers(05 of08)
Zaid Mustafa, left, son and brother of victims from last week's mosque shootings, is welcomed to Friday prayers at Hagley Park. (credit:Associated Press)
Australian students perform the Haka in solidarity with victims of the attack(06 of08)
Students from Punchbowl Boys High School perform the haka, the New Zealand Maori tradition, after Friday prayers at Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque in Sydney, Australia. (credit:Associated Press)
The funerals for the dead carried on throughout Friday(07 of08)
Burials of the victims carried on throughout Friday. Many of the grieving families were dismayed at how long it took for authorities to release the bodies of their loved ones. It is considered vital in Islam to bury the dead as soon as possible. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The deputy prime minister of New Zealand addressed an emergency meeting of Islamic nations(08 of08)
On the other side of the world, New Zealand's deputy prime minister Winston Peters spoke at an emergency session of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul. He told the gathering: "The families of the fallen will have justice." (credit:Associated Press)