APD | Indonesia condemns mosque attacks in New Zealand

By APD writer Aditya Nugraha

JAKARTA, March 15 (APD) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo strongly condemned the attacks on two mosques in New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday, ordered Indonesian citizens in the city to escalate their vigilance on the developing condition. 

Two of Indonesian nationals were among those shot in one of the mosques, one of them suffered critical injury. 

“Indonesia strongly condemns such a violent act. I also convey my deepest condolence for those affected by the act,” the president said in an official statement issued by the presidential palace. 

The Indonesian nationals shot by the attackers are father and son who conducted Friday prayer in Linwood Islamic Center mosque, one of the two attacked mosques in Christchurch.

The father, identified as Zulfirman Syah, was reported in coma condition. An operation to retrieve bullet and heal his wounds are underway at present. 

According to Zulfirman’s wife, Alta Marie Sacra, her husband sustained severe injuries from several shots launched by the attackers. Part of the bullets went through his lungs, Alta said as quoted by local media. 

Alta added that his son, who was with his father to conduct Friday prayer, suffered from shot wounds at his back and legs. 

“I have not met my husband as he is now being operated. I already met my son,” Alta said, adding that his son is deeply traumatized with the shocking attack at the moment.

Alta said that she, her husband and her son were just moved and stay in Christchurch in the last two months. 

Indonesia Ambassador to New Zealand Tantowi Yahya said that there were at least 6 Indonesian nationals who had Friday prayer when the attack took place in Linwood mosque.

The information was obtained from an Indonesian student who was among those did the prayer there. 

The student called him by phone after he fled from the attack scene with two of his friends. Cited information from the student, Tantowi said that 3 Indonesian nationals were still on the mosque when those students escaped from the horrible attack. 

Those students did not know condition of those 3 Indonesians in the attacked Linwood mosque after they ran away, he added. 

New Zealand authorities said that death toll from from attacks on Al Noor mosque in and Linwood mosque in Christchurch has escalated to 49, consisted of 41 from Al Noor mosque and 7 in Linwood mosque and another one in the hospital. 

Over 40 people were injured from the attacks, the authorities said.

Police have arrested 4 suspects comprised of 3 men and 1 women, confiscated several evidences related to the attacks and bombs that were strapped in a car.

Police called on Muslims to refrain from visiting mosques throughout the country, telling Christchurch residents to ‘close their doors tightly’ until further notice. 

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)