MARCH 15, 2019
NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed “deep shock and sadness” over the death of scores of people in the heinous terrorist attack in New Zealand while stressing India’s strong condemnation of terrorism and of all those who support such acts of violence.
In a letter to Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, Modi also underscored India’s solidarity with the people of her country at this difficult time.
Mass shootings at two mosques full of worshippers attending Friday prayers killed at least 49 people in Christchurch, while several explosive devices were defused, in what appeared to be a carefully planned racist attack.
“Prime Minister has expressed his deep shock and sadness at the loss of scores of innocent lives in the heinous terrorist attack at the places of worship in Christchurch,” the External Affairs Ministry said in an official release.
“The Prime Minister stressed India’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and of all those who support such acts of violence. He stressed that hatred and violence have no place in diverse and democratic societies.
Modi also expressed his deepest condolences to the families bereaved in this dastardly attack, offered heartfelt prayers for the speedy recovery of the injuried and underscored India’s solidarity with the friendly people of New Zealand at this difficult time.
An Indian man has also been critically injured in the New Zealand mosque shootings. The victim’s name is Ahmed Jehangir.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked the government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, president of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) KT Rama Rao and Telangana Chief Minister’s Office to help Ahmed Jehangir’s brother Iqbal Jehangir.
According to the information tweeted by Asaduddin Owaisi, Iqbal Jehangir is a resident of Hyderabad.
Owaisi wrote that Iqbal Jehangir wants to go to New Zealand for his brother’s family living in New Zealand.
“A video from Christchurch shows one Ahmed Jehangir who was shot. His brother Iqbal Jehangir is a resident of Hyderabad and would like to go to NZ for Ahmed’s family. I request @KTRTRS @TelanganaCMO @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj to make necessary arrangements for the Khursheed family,” Owaisi wrote on Twitter.
A video from #ChristChurch shows one Ahmed Jehangir who was shot. His brother Iqbal Jehangir is a resident of Hyderabad & would like to go to NZ for Ahmed’s family.
I request @KTRTRS @TelanganaCMO @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj to make necessary arrangements for the Khursheed family
Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 15, 2019
AIMIM president Owaisi also presented Iqbal Jehangir’s passport details.
Owaisi wrote, “His [Iqbal Jehangir] brother is serious and his family has little support. I’m only requesting the immediate support of your good offices in expediting his visa process. He’ll make all arrangements to travel to NZ by himself.”
Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter in the afternoon on March 15 asking for help from the MEA, Sushma Swaraj, KT Rama Rao and Telangana CMO for Iqbal Jehangir so that he could be around his injured brother and his family in New Zealand.
