Leading by Example

The world hails New Zealand PM, JacindaArdern for her act of solidarity.

 

It’s not what we say but what we do defines us. On March 15, 2019, New Zealand which was often considered as a safe country – saw one of the worst act of extremism in the recent times when 50 people were shot at and killed in a terrorist attack. People had gathered to offer Friday prayers at the two mosques of Christchurch when a 28-year gunman massacred innocent worshippers. In these darkest hours, while the world leaders condemned the attacks and expressed their concern towards the increasing xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia, Prime Minister JacindaArdern was lauded for her response to the shootings.

 

When her country and her people were attacked, on one side Prime Minister Ardern commissioned inquiry and pledged to strengthen gun laws and on the other side showed compassion and care by travelling to Christchurch on the subsequent Friday to meet the families of the victims. The picture of her embracing a Christchurch Muslim community in a makeshift headscarf became an iconic symbol of peace and solidarity around the globe, it gained international praise when projected on Dubai’s iconic BurjKhalifa. It’s moments captured like these which induces faith and fills our heart with hope that humanity will rise with deeds of good people and world peace will prevail over hatred and venom of extremism and terrorism.

 

In a Facebook post, accompanying a picture of the BurjKhalifa, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said: “New Zealand today fell silent in honour of the mosque attacks’ martyrs. Thank you PM JacindaArdern and New Zealand for your sincere empathy and support that has won the respect of 1.5 billion Muslims after the terrorist attack that shook the Muslim community around the world.” Facebook and other social media platforms were flooded with the said image of PM JacindaArdern and women around New Zealand wearing a makeshift headscarf as a mark of respect, the same social media which the gunman used to spread his hate crime by streaming the shooting on Facebook Live.

 

Prime Minister JacindaArdern is truly a leader to reckon with, the way she stood by her people and reacted to the heinous act her people were subjected to. She exemplifies that leadership is beyond age, gender or challenging time but your ideologies, principles and act of valour. PM Jacinda is the world’s youngest female head of government. She continues to inspire the entire world and a generation by her defining leadership.