Al Noor Mosque
Al Noor Mosque
- The Al Noor Mosque (Arabic: مسجد النور, Masjid al-Noor) is a Sunni Musjid located in the Christchurch suburb of Riccarton, New Zealand. It was constructed between 1983 and 1985 by the Muslim Association of Canterbury, which was established in 1977. Unfortunately, it gained tragic notoriety as the main target of the Christchurch Mosque shootings on 15 March 2019.
- Construction of the Musjid commenced in June 1983, with the main contract awarded to M. L. Paynter Ltd in July 1984 for NZ$500,000. The government of Saudi Arabia generously contributed $460,000 towards its construction. The Musjid held its first Friday prayer on 21 June 1985, coinciding with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, marking a significant milestone for the Muslim community in New Zealand.
- Over the years, the Musjid has served not only as a place of worship but also as a center for community activities. In 2003, the Christchurch Muslim community organized a “National Māori Muslim Day” at the Musjid, celebrating cultural diversity and unity within the Muslim community. By 2015, the Musjid had grown to accommodate 550 members, reflecting the increasing presence of Islam in Christchurch.
- The tragic events of 15 March 2019 deeply impacted the Musjid and the entire nation. A majority of the victims were at Al Noor Musjid, with 44 people losing their lives and 35 others sustaining injuries. However, the Musjid demonstrated remarkable resilience by reopening its doors on 23 March, just eight days after the attack.
- The perpetrator of the attack was convicted of multiple charges, including murder and terrorism, and received a life sentence without parole on 27 August 2020.