Dubai - Scores of innocent people were killed and injured in the attacks.
Published: Fri 15 Mar 2019, 11:00 PM
Updated: Sun 17 Mar 2019, 1:36 PM
The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent a cable to Dame Patsy Reddy, the Governor-General of New Zealand, expressing his heartfelt condolences and sympathy for the victims of the terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch city.
Scores of innocent people were killed and injured in the attacks.
In his cable, Sheikh Khalifa has condemned in the strongest possible terms the heinous crime in which many innocent people fell victim while safely and securely performing Friday prayers. The president stressed the need for countering hatred and intolerance, affirming that compassion and coexistence among peoples are the lifeline for humanity from this imminent danger.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, condemned the mass shooting during the Friday prayer at two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand, which left 40 people at least dead and scores other seriously injured.
"On a peaceful Friday, and in a mosque, a typical peaceful place of worship, we saw the most heinous of religious hate crimes where 49 worshippers were killed. Our condolences to New Zealand, and to the families of the victims, and to all Muslims in my name and on behalf of my country that is dedicating a full year for promoting tolerance in the world. We express our deepest sorrow and call upon the entire world to thoughtfully consider inculcating interfaith tolerance," Sheikh Mohammed said in his official Twitter account.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also condemned the attack. Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter:
"Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the hate crime that took the lives of innocent Muslims performing Friday prayers in New Zealand. We call on the world to fight hatred. The UAE is a nation of tolerance and we affirm the need for love and coexistence."
Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, the UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, tweeted "heartfelt condolences" to New Zealand.
Gargash wrote: "Our collective work against violence & hate must continue with renewed vigor. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims."
Meanwhile, the UAE ambassador to New Zealand affirmed the safety of all Emirati students in New Zealand following the attack.
Ahmed Salim Al Suwaidi said the UAE mission has communicated with Emirati students in the country to make sure of their safety and urge them to exercise maximum caution during such exceptional circumstances.
The embassy has allocated the following phone number: 006448302949, for emergency calls in addition to the following local emergency contact: 111.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman all offered their sympathies Friday over the attack.
Saudi Arabia said one of its citizens was lightly wounded in the attack, but survived.