Christchurch shooting: tearful Muslim New Zealand All Blacks player Sonny Bill Williams sends his prayers – ‘you are all in paradise’
- The devout Muslim is barely able to speak in a Twitter post he made from his car after hearing the news
All Blacks rugby star Sonny Bill Williams has given a tearful tribute to those killed in the New Zealand mosque shootings in Christchurch that resulted in “multiple deaths”.
Williams, a devout Muslim, was barely able to speak in the 64-second Twitter post as he held back tears, telling families of those killed that “you are all in paradise”.
“I heard the news. I couldn’t put it into words how I’m feeling right now,” Williams said while in his car. “Just sending my duas [prayers] to the families.
“Apparently there are 30 people dead. Sending out my duas [for] everyone that’s been killed today in Christchurch.
“The families, you can take ... just sending out my duas to the loved ones. InshaAllah [God willing] you are all in paradise. I’m just deeply, deeply saddened that this would happen in New Zealand.”
Reports say a heavily armed gunman clad in military-style gear opened fire on Friday at two mosques in Christchurch, killing multiple people. New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Arden called it “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.