'I am a proud Muslim and a proud New Zealander': Sonny Bill Williams pays tribute to Jacinda Ardern and fellow New Zealanders at Eden Park in Auckland
- Sonny Bill Williams praised New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern
- Praise came two weeks on from mass shooting at two Christchurch mosques
- Williams spoke at Eden Park during remembrance service to pay his respects
- The Blue and Blacks all star called for unity in the country to weed out hatred
Sonny Bill Williams has praised New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and the unflinching resilience of New Zealanders two weeks on from the Christchurch terror attack.
Williams took to the stage at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday to deliver the moving address in front of a hundreds-strong crowd.
'I am a proud Muslim and a proud New Zealander and the efforts led by Jacinda Ardern and fellow New Zealanders, I commend you, it has been special,' Williams said.
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Sonny Bill Williams has praised Jacinda Ardern and the unflinching resilience of New Zealanders two weeks on from the Christchurch terror attack
Williams took to the stage at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand to deliver the moving address in front of a hundreds-strong crowd on Friday
Jacinda Ardern has drawn global praise for both her sensitivity to the Muslim community and quick response to gun law reform in the wake of the mass shooting on March 15 (pictured, Mayor Phil Goff spoke at Eden Park)
Jacinda Ardern has drawn global praise for both her sensitivity to the Muslim community and quick response to gun law reform in the wake of the mass shooting on March 15.
Alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant allegedly opened fire at the Al Noor and Linwood Masjid mosques at Christchurch and claimed the lives of 50 people.
'To the brothers and sisters, families who are no longer with us here today please take solace and contentment that your family members are in a better place,' Williams said to the families of the victims.
'To those still healing in the hospitals down in Christchurch, we send our prayers to you guys.'
Auckland students sent their support to the affected families through a stirring music performance, and Williams praised community leaders who had carried the torch and led their neighbours through the dark and challenging time.
'Let’s keep leading the way, let’s keep being that light in stormy waters for the rest of the world.'
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While the All Black and Blues star admitted he felt a lack of understanding surrounded Islam, he saw it as an opportunity for New Zealanders to grow and learn.
'I challenge you to reach out to a Muslim in your community and find out about us.
'As a Muslim, we believe that the Arab has no superiority over a non Arab, nor a black over a white, or a white over a black. At the very core of Islam is the fight against racism and hatred.'
Mayor Phil Goff carried the tone and said he saw a unified New Zealand following the attack.
'The terrorist tried to divide the New Zealand community but he has achieved the opposite
'We have seen that love is a more powerful emotion than hatred, good will always prevail over evil.
'Let this be a country where our children can grow up together whatever faith, whatever ethnicity, in harmony.'
The remembrance service at Auckland came as thousands flocked to Hagley Park in Christchurch, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten were present.
Auckland students sent their support to the families through a stirring Waiata
Politicians and residents appeared emotional as Williams praised community leaders who had carried the torch and led their neighbours through the dark and challenging time
New Zealanders at Eden Park in Auckland as they paid their respects to the victims of the March 15 mass shooting
