South Florida Muslims Stand in Solidarity with the victims in Christchurch, New Zealand
(Miami, FL, 03/15/2019) – The South Florida Muslim Federation announces today on behalf of its members our solidarity and shared grief with our Muslim brothers and sisters in New Zealand. Our hearts go out to the families and victims of this horrific act of terrorism and we pray to God to bring them ease during this difficult time.
Authorities have reported at least 49 people were killed in the deadly attacks at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque in Christchurch, a city of nearly 400,000 people on New Zealand’s South Island. The gunman massacred worshipers as they were gathered for Friday prayers with a semi-automatic firearm.
“Every Friday our community stands together in congregation to worship God and reflect on our lives. I can’t imagine the horror the Muslims faced while they were standing in prayer, focused on God only to be mowed down by a cold-blooded murder with a semi-automatic weapon. The South Florida Muslim Community mourns this tragedy and we all offer our prayers to the victims and their families,” says Nezar Hamze, Executive Director of the South Florida Muslim Federation.
Khurrum Wahid, Emgage USA National Chairperson and local South Florida Attorney said, “ I am an advocate for ending the divisive hatred we see in our communities. As Parkland Mayor Hunschofsky shared this morning, New Zealand has a special connection to Parkland and Coral Springs, as MSD students traveled to Christchurch last summer and also hosted students from University of Canterbury later in the year. We must continue to work together to end tragedies like this.”
The South Florida Muslim Community is very appreciative of our interfaith partners and social justice organizations that have reached out to share their solidarity with us.
The South Florida Muslim Federation sent out a statewide SECURITY ALERT yesterday asking the leadership of the Muslim community to reach out to local law enforcement and ask for more police presence during today’s prayers services. Also, to have volunteers outside greeting the worshipers as they arrive to keep an eye out for anyone or anything suspicious and immediately report it to 911.
Media Contact:
Nezar Hamze, Executive Director, The South Florida Muslim Federation,
Email:nhamze@soflomuslims.com, Phone:954-673-9459
Khurrum Wahid, Emgage National Chair, Local Attorney
Email: khurrum@wvmlawfirm.com , Phone:305-310-0681
*The South Florida Muslim Federation is an umbrella of 30 Muslim Organizations based in South Florida. (see www.soflomuslims.com/about). Below is the full list of organizations:
Masjid Al-Amin
AMANA
Masjid Baitul Mukarram
Basmah
CAIR Florida
Council of Islamic Schools of South Florida
Darul Uloom Institute
Dawah Islam
Emgage
Friends of Humanity
Helping Hands Relief
Islamic Center of Broward
Islamic Center of Boca Raton
Islamic Center of Weston
Islamic Circle of North America Relief
Islamic Center of South Florida
Islamic Foundation of South Florida
Islamic Jafferia Association
Islamic Relief
Islamic School of Miami
Masjid Al-Ansar
Masjid Al-Hijrah
Masjid Ihsan
Muslim Communities Association
Masjid Jamaat Al’Mu-mineen
MAS of South Florida
Muslim Women’s Organization of South Florida
Nur Ul Islam
South Florida Young Muslims Professionals
Youth Coalition of South Florida
Young Muslims
