Fatih Hafız Mehmet
15 March 2019•Update: 15 March 2019
ANKARA
Istanbul's Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate condemned Friday's mosque attack in New Zealand which killed at least 49 people.
Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, during a meeting, "expressed their shock and dismay over the murderous attacks made against the people present at two mosques located in Christchurch, New Zealand," according to a statement.
"His All-Holiness and the Synodal Hierarchs unequivocally condemn every act of terrorism, hate and fundamentalism, and call everyone to work together, through dialogue, for the protection of all that is good, for peaceful coexistence and collaboration.
"They extend their heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims, as well as their wholehearted wishes for strength and a swift recovery to all those wounded," the statement said.
The patriarch has also communicated with metropolitan myron of New Zealand to convey the above message to the local authorities, to the Muslim community and to all the people of New Zealand, it added.
Gunmen opened fire on Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch city with one of the shooters livestreaming the incident on social media. The footage has since been removed from social media platforms.
Three people have been detained so far.
