Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama

It’s confirmed that so far 50 people have died from the Christchurch mosque mass shooting in New Zealand last Friday.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the terrorist attack is shocking as it became very personal to all Fijians.

“This surreal news event quickly turned to reality, as our friends and neighbors learned through word of mouth that Fijians were present during the attacks.  Soon we found that Fijians were among the Muslim worshippers who were so brutally slaughtered, making this heartbreaking tragedy even more personal for our nation.”

The two Christchurch mosques were attacked while the worshippers were praying, Bainimarama reaffirmed the security of all Fijian Muslims and urged them to not give in to the fear the attack has created.

“Difficult as it may be, try not to let these acts of hatred intimidate you that was the goal of the coward who committed these crimes.  To our Muslim community, I say this; you are safe, and you are loved.”

The Prime Minister has urged all Fijians to speak up and recognize that there is no space for hatred of any kind.

“I call on all Fijians across all backgrounds and faiths to join in making this pledge; whenever you encounter someone who says something racist and hateful, whether it is online or in person, say something.  Do something.  Have the courage to call them out, and counter their hatred with reason.  Be the voice of love.  Be the voice of change.”

The Prime Minister adding that only when we speak out against such hatred that the world will be rid of the evil that inspired the Christchurch massacre.

Of the 50 confirmed dead in the attack, two of the victims are Fijian.

There are also unconfirmed reports that another Fijian who was praying at the mosque at the time of the shooting remains unaccounted for.