Egypt’s Min. of Migration attends mass funeral of New Zealand shootings victims

CAIRO - 22 March 2019: Egyptian Minster of Migration Nabila Makram has participated in the mass funeral for the victims of the deadly mass shootings at the two mosques in New Zealand last week.

During the Friday prayer last week, a gunman, who was later identified as Australian citizen Brenton Tarrant (28), opening fire randomly at worshippers inside Al Noor Mosque in the city of Christchurch, killing dozens; and then he went to another mosque to kill more Muslim worshippers. The shooter strapped a GoPro camera to his head and broadcast his massacre live on his twitter account, which is now suspended.

Egypt announced four nationals are among the 50 victims of the mass shootings.

The Egyptian Minister has delivered Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb’s condolences for the loss of the victims, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Migration on Friday March22, 2019.

The mass funeral was attended by thousands of people and took place near Al Noor mosque. New Zealand has asked female attendants to wear Hijab during the mass funeral in solidarity with the Muslims. Meanwhile, Adhan [Islamic call for performing prayers] was telecast on the state’s T.V. and Radio during Friday prayer. The Friday sermon was given in both Arabic and English languages.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Thursday that the semi-automatic rifles that were used by the shooter in his attacks at the payers will be banned in New Zealand under new tougher laws, Reuters reported.