Christchurch mosque attack on 15th March, 2019, not only brought the world’s attention to the rising Islamophobia, but also catapulted New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern’s, leadership on the international platform.
Immediately after the attack, she held a press conference, communicated with her people, and her appropriate choice of words worked as part-healer. There was no muscle flexing, no cry for war, and no talk of revenge like we have seen earlier from other world leaders. She owned her minorities, consoled them for their pain and loss, and showed utmost respect for their beliefs. Her disregard for the terrorist (who she chose to not even mention) was shocking and hard-hitting.
In an age of Trump and Modi, who have used their anti-Muslim policy to tread further on in their political careers, PM Ardern showed the world a path of compassion and empathy. She has invited her political colleagues from around the world, to uproot racism and hate globally.
Her small acts of solidarity such as wearing the hijab, hugging the relatives of the victims, assuring them safety and broadcasting ‘adhan’ on TV and radio for the next week’s Friday prayers, were beautiful, rare and heartening. At a time of grief, she held her people together, with the fabrics of love, respect, and secularism in the truest sense.
Holding a ‘mashal’ (torch) in her delicate hands, she is on her own journey of finding the truth and unity in the dark alleys of hatred, bigotry and, racism, guiding the youths towards benevolence and teaching everyone the basics of decency and courtesy.