The world's media watched as more than 20,000 people gathered in solidarity in Christchurch today to honour the 50 people killed in the mosque shootings two weeks ago.
The massacre has attracted global attention since news broke on the afternoon of March 15 that a gunman had stormed the Al Noor and Linwood mosques where worshippers had gathered for Friday prayers.
World media online coverage of this morning's National Remembrance Service in Christchurch's Hagley Park focussed on the speeches by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and survivor Farid Ahmed, and the performance by the Muslim singer Yusuf/Cat Stevens.
In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, The Jakarta Post carried the full text of Ms Ardern's address , as reported by Agence France-Presse.
The transcript was introduced with: "Herewith the text of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's address to a national remembrance ceremony Friday for the 50 Muslims slain by a white supremacist in two Christchurch mosques on March 15."
The Straits Times in Singapore headlined it's story "Christchurch mosque victims' names read out to silent crowd at New Zealand memorial".
The Reuters story that followed said thousands stood in silence in a Christchurch park on Friday (March 29) as the names of 50 people shot dead in two mosques were read out at a national memorial service, with speakers calling for the legacy of the tragedy to be a kinder, more tolerant New Zealand.
Noting that Jacinda Ardern's handling of the tragedy has won global praise, it quoted her as saying: "Our challenge now is to make the very best of us a daily reality. Because we are not immune to the viruses of hate, of fear, of other. We never have been."
The Straits Times went on to report that Farid Ahmed, whose wife Husna was one of the 50 killed, told the crowd that, as a man of faith, he had forgiven his wife's killer because he did not want to have "a heart that is boiling like a volcano".
US-based CNN ran video recapping Ms Ardern "bursting onto the international political scene in 2017" and recapping her response to the mosque shootings.
It's text story was headlined: 'He is my human brother': Forgiveness at New Zealand's service for terror victims
CNN reporters wrote that at a subdued national memorial service Friday, speakers emphasised confidence in the country and its handling of the tragedy's aftermath.
"A succession of survivors, religious and civic leaders, along with community members, took the stage in Christchurch, each introduced in the country's official languages of English, Maori and sign language. An immense crowd of attendees spread across a grass lawn before them," the story ran.
It also told of survivor Farid Ahmed speaking of forgiveness from a wheelchair onstage and reported Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, performed his 1970s hits Peace Train and Don't Be Shy.
"But it was Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, addressing the crowd in a feather cloak, who received a standing ovation," CNN reported.
"The 37-year-old has won global praise for her handling of the attacks, as she swiftly moved to reassure the Muslim community and tighten the nation's gun laws," it noted.
The Washington Post carried a headline in its World section, "Regional leaders join New Zealand remembrance for victims of mosque attacks".
One survivor of the attacks said it’s important Australia take some responsibility given the alleged shooter’s citizenship. (Source: Other)
The piece said that on a mild fall morning, two weeks after the most devastating acts of violence in New Zealand history, an official service of remembrance was held just a few hundred yards from the scene of the first attack.
"A crowd of thousands attended the event, named 'Ko Tātou, Tātou We are one.' It was hosted in the city's centrally located Hagley Park, the western fringes of which run parallel to Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue," the story said.
The Washington Post said distant but audible helicopters hovered overhead and pairs of police officers patrolled occasionally through the crowd, and in attendance were representatives of 59 nations.
Snipers, road closures and armed police walking amongst the crowds were among the precautions taken to make today safe. (Source: Other)
The crowd listened to speeches and songs "with respectful reserve, occasionally breaking out into cheers, even standing ovations," it said.
Farid Ahmed, a survivor of the first mosque attack, was welcomed to sustained applause, the publication pointed out.
Britain's BBC News said Jacinda Ardern described how the world had been "stuck in a vicious cycle of extremism breeding extremism" but said "the answer lies in our humanity".
The Guardian's online report was headlined: Christchurch memorial: standing ovation for Ardern at New Zealand service.
It reported the Prime Minister said to applause: "Racism exists but it is not welcome here ... violence and extremism in all its forms is not welcome here."
The service was broadcast live to many other events taking place around the country, The Guardian explained.
Dave Dobbyn and Sonny Bill Williams were among those who paid tribute at Auckland’s Eden Park. (Source: Other)
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