Ali Beloud, who resides in North Battleford, attended prayers Friday. He said he feels safe living here. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Community support

Battlefords Muslim community reacts to New Zealand shooting

Mar 15, 2019 | 5:39 PM

The Muslim community in the Battlefords was solemn at its afternoon prayer service as members reflected on the tragedy in New Zealand.

At least 49 people were shot to death and 48 were injured, some critically, at two mosques during midday prayers in Christchurch — most if not all of them gunned down by an immigrant-hating white supremacist who apparently used a helmet-mounted camera to broadcast live video of the slaughter on Facebook.

One man was arrested and charged with murder, and two other armed suspects were taken into custody while police tried to determine what role, if any, they played in the cold-blooded attack that stunned New Zealand, a country so peaceful that police officers rarely carry guns.

It was by far the deadliest shooting in modern New Zealand history.

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“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, noting that many of the victims could be migrants or refugees.

She pronounced it “one of New Zealand’s darkest days.”

The gunman who carried out at least one of the mosque attacks posted a jumbled, 74-page manifesto on social media under the name Brenton Tarrant, identifying himself as a 28-year-old Australian and white supremacist who was out to avenge attacks in Europe perpetrated by Muslims.

He also livestreamed in graphic detail 17 minutes of his rampage at Al Noor Mosque, where, armed with at least two assault rifles and a shotgun, he sprayed worshippers with bullets over and over, killing at least 41 people. Several more people were killed in an attack on a second mosque in the city a short time later.

In North Battleford, several people spoke about the shooting as they left the city’s mosque.

Mohammed Farooq said he was shocked to hear the news.

“They came for prayers; they left their family and then they never came back,” he said of the sudden nature of the tragedy.

Originally from Pakistan, Farooq has lived in North Battleford since 2009 and feels safe to practice his religion in the city.

“It’s a very safe community, I have no doubt about it,” he said.

Ali Beloud attended the afternoon prayers and said he was taken aback by the attacks, too. He said the mosque received flowers from supporters today in sympathy.

“We feel as any other human who sees people dying for nothing, just going to worship,” Beloud said.

In addition to a concern about terrorism around the world, he is upset by what he sees as a trend towards Islamophobia in the media.

A teacher in North Battleford, Beloud said he would like to see increased awareness and better representation in the media of “the love between humans” that in some way may help reduce the number of tragedies in the future.

Beloud is originally from Algeria and has called North Battleford home with his family for just over a year.

He said he is not worried about his safety.

“I am still feeling safe,” he added. “Here in Canada or in a small town like the Battlefords, people are good.”

Beloud adds it’s upsetting to hear about any type of tragedies involving people from any religious groups, not only those affecting the Muslim community.

– With files from The Canadian Press

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW