Pakistan on Tuesday lauded the speech New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in which she paid tribute to Pakistani national Mian Naeem Rashid, who embraced martyred while trying to stop an Australian white supremacist terrorist from entering Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque on March 15.
Expressing solidarity with the Muslims community, the premier vowed to the grieving citizens that the terrorist, who killed 50 worshippers in a brutal assault on two mosques, would face the “full force of the law”.
She began her speech in parliament with Muslim greeting, Assalam-u-Alaikum (Peace be unto you).
Terrorists crave publicity. In the age of social media can notoriety truly be denied, asks @rick_n after New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern vows never to say the Christchurch gunman's name https://t.co/Y7cDLmQ0LM pic.twitter.com/MAMa4jp5g6
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) March 19, 2019
Kiwi PM Ardern said Rashid had made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of worshippers inside the mosque.
She also strongly condemned the horrendous act of the lone terrorist while speaking on the floor of parliament, saying: “He sought many things from his act of terror, but one was notoriety, that is why you will never hear me mention his name.”
“He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless,” the premier added.
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal also thanked PM Ardern for recognising Rashid’s bravery.
The clear decisive manner in which NZ PM has dealt with Christchurch terrorist attack has won her many admirers in Pakistan. She has won the hearts of Pakistanis for her compassion and for her leadership. Thank you for recognizing the bravery of Dr. Naeem Rashid @jacindaardern
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) March 19, 2019
Speaking out on Twitter, Faisal said, “The clear decisive manner in which New Zealand’s prime minister has dealt with Christchurch terrorist attack has won her many admirers in Pakistan.”
He said that PM Ardern had won the hearts of Pakistanis through her compassion and leadership.
