Extremism must be defeated, Britain's prince tells NZ mosque survivors
In an emotional meeting with the survivors of the New Zealand mosques massacre, Britain's Prince William appealed today for "extremism in all forms" to be defeated. About 160 people gathered at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch to meet the prince who was welcomed by the Imam Gamel Fouda, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and attack survivor Fahid Ahmed, whose wife was among those killed.
White supremacist killed 50 in two Christchurch mosques on March-15
Prince had earlier told first responders to the March 15 carnage that when "a good friend" is in need, "you travel to their place and you put your arms around them." Six weeks to the day from when a self-styled white-supremacist killed 50 people and wounded just as many in two Christchurch mosques, the prince said he stood with the people of New Zealand.
An act of violence was designed to change NZ: Prince
"An act of violence was designed to change NZ, but instead, the grief of a nation revealed just how deep your wells of empathy, compassion, warmth, and love truly run," the prince said, after arriving at the mosque from a meeting with hospital-staff who had tended to the wounded. "In a moment of acute pain, you stood up, and you stood together," he said.
I stand with you in optimism, grief: William to survivors
"In reaction to a tragedy, you showed something remarkable. I stand with you in gratitude to what you have taught the world in these past weeks. I stand with you in optimism and grief. I will support those who survive," said the prince. "May the forces of love always prevail over the forces of hate... Extremism in all forms must be defeated," he said.
William also visited the Starship Children's hospital to meet victims
Attack-survivor Ahmed, who became the face of the Muslim community when he said he loved and forgave the gunman, told the prince, "We have to keep up hope and not surrender to hatred." William yesterday made an unannounced visit to the Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland where he met with five-year-old Alen Alsati and her father, Wasseim, who were both injured in the massacre.
Kensington Palace also released a touching video on Prince's visit
In a touching video released by Kensington Palace, Alen, who only woke from a coma early this week, asked William, "Do you have a daughter?" to which William replied, "Do I have a daughter? Yes, she's called Charlotte... she's about the same age as you."
Footage of Duke of Cambridge's meeting with Alen Alsati
You did incredible job: Prince to police and medical officers
William met with police and medical officers who were first to the scene of the carnage, telling them they did "an incredible job on a very bad day". William, who also visited Christchurch just weeks after the devastating February 2011 earthquake which claimed 185 lives, will end his brief visit later today when he will lay a wreath at the earthquake memorial site.
