PNG Muslims slam NZ shooting

By MICHAEL LAI
THE Muslim community in Papua New Guinea has condemned the killing of fellow believers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, last Friday, saying it was “inhuman”.
Eliyas Wasare, one of the first seven in PNG to be converted to Islam since 1986, said those who died had gone to heaven.
“Shooting is an inhuman act. Those who died have peacefully gone to heaven because it happened when they were praying,” he said.
“Physically, we are grieving the loss of our fellow followers. They were shot when all their concentration was on God.
“They are at a peaceful place in heaven,” he said.
Wasare, a senior follower at the mosque in Hohola, shared her grief with the other 5000 Muslim followers in PNG.
He said concentration was upon God during prayers at their mosque on Friday just like Christians worship on Sabbath and Sunday.
“We never look around or care about who is coming during prayers. That is the time the gunman shot the believers.”
Fifty people have died while 34 including 12 in critical condition are still in hospital.