<p class="title">A solemn New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday the deadly <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/nz-police-order-lockdown-amid-mosque-shooting-reports-723306.html" target="_blank">mosque shootings in Christchurch</a> had plunged the country into one of its "darkest days".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Clearly, what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence," Ardern said in an address to a shocked nation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A gunman opened fire inside the Masjid al Noor mosque during afternoon prayers, causing multiple fatalities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Many of those who will have been directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand, they may even be refugees here," Ardern said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home. They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They should have been in a safe environment," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/bangladesh-cricket-team-escapes-nz-mosque-shooting-official-723310.html" target="_blank">Bangladesh cricket team escapes NZ mosque shooting</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">One person is in custody, but police said it was not yet clear if there were other people involved.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence," Ardern added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"For now, my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those who have been affected, and also with their families."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Her comments were echoed by the leader of the opposition Simon Bridges.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We stand with and support the New Zealand Islamic community," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"No one in this country should live in fear, no matter their race or religion, their politics or their beliefs."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was among the foreign leaders who expressed their concern.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I'm horrified by the reports I'm following of the serious shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The situation is still unfolding but our thoughts and prayers are with our Kiwi cousins."</p>
<p class="title">A solemn New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday the deadly <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/nz-police-order-lockdown-amid-mosque-shooting-reports-723306.html" target="_blank">mosque shootings in Christchurch</a> had plunged the country into one of its "darkest days".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Clearly, what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence," Ardern said in an address to a shocked nation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A gunman opened fire inside the Masjid al Noor mosque during afternoon prayers, causing multiple fatalities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Many of those who will have been directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand, they may even be refugees here," Ardern said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home. They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They should have been in a safe environment," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/bangladesh-cricket-team-escapes-nz-mosque-shooting-official-723310.html" target="_blank">Bangladesh cricket team escapes NZ mosque shooting</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">One person is in custody, but police said it was not yet clear if there were other people involved.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence," Ardern added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"For now, my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those who have been affected, and also with their families."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Her comments were echoed by the leader of the opposition Simon Bridges.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We stand with and support the New Zealand Islamic community," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"No one in this country should live in fear, no matter their race or religion, their politics or their beliefs."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was among the foreign leaders who expressed their concern.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I'm horrified by the reports I'm following of the serious shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The situation is still unfolding but our thoughts and prayers are with our Kiwi cousins."</p>