Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah

May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you

The Washington Post writes about the terrorist attacks on mosques in New Zealand during Friday prayers:

Forty-nine people are dead and scores more are injured after a heavily armed gunman clad in military-style gear opened fire during prayers at a mosque in the center of Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday. A second mosque was also targeted in what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called a well-planned “terrorist attack,” making for “one of New Zealand’s darkest days.”

This was a horrific set of attacks perpetrated by right wing extremists from Australia who wrote a manifesto of hatred towards Muslims and immigrants.

The 74-page document states that he was following the example of notorious right-wing extremists, including Dylann Roof, who murdered nine black churchgoers in Charleston, S.C., in 2015.

The United States is becoming an exporter of nationalist hatred, intolerance, and violent ideology. These attacks come the day after our own president insinuated that the military, police and bikers could become violent on the rest of us if we make them mad enough. In 2019, we have more to fear from the irrationally enraged white right wing and its leader in the White House.

The Confluence in Pittsburgh is familiar with this kind of senseless violence and sorrow and sends its deepest sympathy and concern to the country of New Zealand and its Muslim brothers and sisters.