200 hit by New Zealand massacre join Hajj pilgrimage

Two hundred survivors and relatives of victims of March's massacres at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, are undertaking the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to "pray for the martyrs". "I want the world to know who Atta Elayyan was," said 27-year-old Farah Talal, dressed in a green djellaba robe and an elegant white scarf during her visit to Islam's holiest city. Her husband Atta was among 51 people killed when a white supremacist attacked worshippers during Friday prayers in the quiet New Zealand town, sparking global revulsion. "He was a wonderful person, generous, I want to pay tribute to him,” murmured the young woman of Jordanian-origin who, along with 200 others affected by the massacre, was invited to the hajj by Saudi’s King Salman.

Authorities have said they hope to “ease their suffering” as part of “the kingdom’s efforts in response to terrorism”. The survivors and relatives of victims were given a heroes’ welcome as they arrived on August 2. They were also greeted by the flashes of press cameras. The hajj, the high point of the Islamic calendar, began on Friday.

Drawing in more than two million Muslims from around the world, it will last five days. Atta Elayyan, of Palestinian-origin, ran an app development company and played goalkeeper for New Zealand’s national futsal side. He left behind a two-year-old daughter.

 

 

200 hit by New Zealand massacre join Hajj pilgrimage

Two hundred survivors and relatives of victims of Marchs massacres at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, are undertaking the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to pray for the martyrs. I want the world to know who Atta Elayyan was, said 27-year-old Farah Talal, dressed in a green djellaba robe and an elegant white scarf during her visit to Islams holiest city. Her husband Atta was among 51 people killed when a white supremacist attacked worshippers during Friday prayers in the quiet New Zealand town, sparking global revulsion. He was a wonderful person, generous, I want to pay tribute to him, murmured the young woman of Jordanian-origin who, along with 200 others affected by the massacre, was invited to the hajj by Saudis King Salman. Authorities have said they hope to ease their suffering as part of the kingdoms efforts in response to terrorism. The survivors and relatives of victims were given a heroes welcome as they arrived on August 2. They were also greeted by the flashes of press cameras. The hajj, the high point of the Islamic calendar, began on Friday. Drawing in more than two million Muslims from around the world, it will last five days. Atta Elayyan, of Palestinian-origin, ran an app development company and played goalkeeper for New Zealands national futsal side. He left behind a two-year-old daughter.