On March 15, a man carrying a semi-automatic rifle entered the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. The devastating events that followed are now known as the worst terrorist attack in New Zealand's history.
And as the reverberations of the attack have spread throughout the world, members of different faiths have shared their love and support for the Islamic community.
► Also: Church Issues Statement of Support After 2 Mosque Shootings in New Zealand
People like Latter-day Saint David Golding. While attending BYU, Golding had a roommate who was Muslim. In a Twitter post, Golding said that this roommate would pray every day facing east, and one day, he invited Golding to pray with him.
"We started our prayers, and he interrupted me," Golding shares on Twitter. "'We should face your temple since we are close to it,' he said. We could see the spire of the Provo Temple out our window. He turned his body away from Mecca and toward my faith’s holy site, a conscious act of inclusion I’ll never forget."
And after the shootings, Golding stands, or kneels, in support of his friend and Muslims around the world.
"My friend, I pray toward Mecca today," Golding says. "My soul hurts for the violence directed at your faith and community."
While at BYU’s dorms, I had a Muslim roommate. He prayed every day in our room. Once, he invited me to join him. “It feels good to be close to God, doesn’t it?” he said. We started our prayers, and he interrupted me. “We should face your temple, since we are close to it.” he said — David Golding (@DavidDGolding) March 15, 2019
We could see the spire of the Provo Temple out our window. He turned his body away from Mecca and toward my faith’s holy site, a conscious act of inclusion I’ll never forget. — David Golding (@DavidDGolding) March 15, 2019
My friend, I pray toward Mecca today. My soul hurts for the violence directed at your faith and community. — David Golding (@DavidDGolding) March 15, 2019
The post, which has been shared hundreds of times, has also garnered messages of support and love for Muslims around the world from Latter-day Saints and members of different faiths.
While prepping for my mission, a good friend of mine (Muslim) said, “we believe differently but we both believe in God, which makes us forever partners in faith.” — The Restoration Will Be Televised (@mormoncromwell) March 16, 2019
Thank you. Your post reminds me of a friend who I met shortly after he came to the states as a Afghan refugee with nothing more than the clothes he was wearing and a small back back. Within weeks he became one of my closest friends and eventually a best man at my wedding. — Hipster Patriarch (@loydo38) March 16, 2019
While we've never worshiped together, we've discussed our religious lives at length, and my wife and I were lucky to give him a tour of the temple I was to be married in (Draper) shortly before it was dedicated. — Hipster Patriarch (@loydo38) March 16, 2019
@commiegirl1 Both of you influenced me to take a turn toward the Mecca direction, and pray for the madness to stop. — LilJerseyGirlLost (@LoriLeeSH) March 15, 2019
I am not an LDS member or a Muslim but I think this story is just precious. If our faith doesn't strengthen our ability to be kinder and love on those who are different, then what use is it? Thank you for sharing! — AfroTeine (@AfroTeine) March 15, 2019
Lead image from Getty Images
