A Nation in Agony as Muslims Slain at Prayer: Balance of Power

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The picturesque coastal city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s southern island was devastated in 2011 by a deadly earthquake. Now, tragedy has struck in another form.

The worst mass shooting in the country in more than 75 years saw 49 people killed after gunmen opened fire at two mosques during Friday prayers, in what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described as a well-planned terrorist attack. Four people, including one Australian, have been detained, with one charged with murder.

In a nation where gun violence is relatively rare, and which has largely welcomed outsiders, the assault may raise questions about access to weapons.

Live-streamed by an alleged perpetrator (some media outlets also broadcast parts of the footage), it will open a fresh debate about the actions of social-media platforms. One of those arrested had posted a lengthy, rambling manifesto online spouting extremist ideology.

“We should not be perpetuating, sharing, giving any oxygen to this act of violence,” Ardern said. “We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we are an enclave for extremism — we were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things.”