New Zealand mourned the death of 50 people during a terror attack that targeted two Mosques in the city of Christchurch on Friday, March 15th. Currently, there are 34 people in the Christchurch hospital, with 12 in critical condition.
U of T’s Principal, Meric Gertler, released a statement the day of the shooting, expressing his sorrow for the Muslim community.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of these innocent people who were so cruelly murdered while at worship. We stand in solidarity with Muslims around the world in their shock, grief and outrage in the wake of these despicable attacks.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Australian citizen, Brenton Harrison Tarrant, has been charged with murder in connection to this attack. According to CNN, Tarrant sent an 87-page manifesto to New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, minutes before the attack.
Gertler commended the U of T Muslim Student Association (MSA) for their continued efforts in reaching out to individuals in the Muslim community.
“I am proud of the contributions of the MSA, and the entire U of T community, in working to overcome division and hatred, and to foster harmony and mutual respect,” he said. “Through their activities inside and outside the classroom, and through their daily interactions with others on our campuses, U of T students, faculty, staff and alumni demonstrate our profound opposition to Islamophobia and every form of discrimination and racism.”
This article has been corrected.
- March 21, 2019 at 4 a.m.: Categorized correctly under News
- March 22, 2019 at 4 a.m.: Added the correct author
