Christchurch attacks: New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern joins thousands of mourners as they pay tribute to victims

New Zealanders marked one week since a mass shooting claimed the lives of 50 Muslim worshippers on the South Island city of Christchurch, holding a two-minute silence and nationwide prayers. Many wore headscarves to show their support for the devastated community.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern joined an estimated 5,000 people standing quietly at Hagley Park in front of the Al Noor Mosque, where most of the victims died.

The Muslim call to prayer was broadcast nationally, followed by two minutes of silence.

Ms Ardern, who swiftly denounced the attack as terrorism, announced a ban on military-style semi-automatic and assault rifles under tough new gun laws.

Most victims of New Zealand’s worst mass shooting were migrants or refugees from countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The #headscarfforharmony movement, launched by an Auckland doctor, encouraged people to wear headscarves to show their support for the Muslim community.

Among those doing that were 65-year-old Robyn Molony and her friends, who walk through Hagley Park on a daily basis.

“We are wearing headscarves showing our support, love and solidarity, and hope that by everybody doing this it will demonstrate to Muslim women ... that they are one with us,” Ms Molony said.

Ms Adern wore a black headscarf as she visited families of the victims a day after the attacks were broadcast around the world.

Muslims account for just over 1 per cent of New Zealand’s population, most of whom were born overseas.

“It’s good that people acknowledge what has happened here,” said Mark Rangi who was praying in Al Noor mosque last Friday when the shooter walked in.

The 59-year-old, who attended the service on crutches, said he was hit in the leg with bullet fragments.

“It’s good that the whole Christchurch community has come down and says this isn’t right,” he said.

Authorities estimated more than 2,000 people will probably attend the prayers and the burials during the day.

“We’re not moving on. This grieving is going to take a long time,” said 52-year-old Christchurch resident Bell Sibly, who wore a headscarf to show her support. “But what he’s done, he was hoping to divide us, and instead, he’s brought us all together in one big hug.”

Armed police have been guarding mosques around New Zealand since the attacks and police said there would be a “heightened presence” on Friday to reassure those attending weekly prayers.

Officers dotted around Christchurch wore green ribbons pinned to their chests as a sign of peace and solidarity.

Candlelight vigils continued across the country, while volunteers prepared the bodies of the deceased for a mass burial that was expected after the prayers.

Reuters