Saudi king funds New Zealand terror attack victims’ trip to Mecca

SAUDI Arabia’s king, Salman bin Abdulaziz, is to host 200 men and women from the families and relatives of the victims of the massacre at the two mosques in Christchurch city in New Zealand to perform the hajj this year at his own personal expenses.

More than 50 worshipers were killed and tens of others injured during the massacre.

The custodian of the two holy mosques has a programme of free hajj and umrah for prominent Muslims from all over the world.

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This year, King Salman is hosting 2,000 from the families and relatives of the Palestinian martyrs as well as 1,300 other pilgrims from 72 countries.

Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, which is supervising the project, expressed thanks and gratitude to the King for this noble and humanitarian gesture toward the victims of the flagrant aggression which is rejected by all religions.

He said hosting of the families and relatives of the victims of the massacres was within the Kingdom’s efforts to confront terrorism and fight terrorists.

“This gesture will alleviate the pain and suffering of the families and relatives,” he added.

The minister said the ministry would liaise with the Saudi embassy in New Zealand to speedily complete the procedures of the King’s guests for the hajj.

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. The pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be carried out by all adult Muslims at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially capable.

Temel Atacocugu​, who was shot nine times in the Al Noor mosque on March 15, said he was appreciative of King Salman’s offer and would be going on the two-week trip with his nephew. It was “quite exciting”, he said.

He said his physical recovery was slow but steady and the trip to Mecca would help with his mental recovery.

“It is going to help me, to go to hajj, spiritually and mentally as well.”

Atacocugu said he had never been to Mecca and had always wanted to go.

Linwood Mosque Imam Abdul Lateef said he and others in the Muslim community were “happy and delighted” to get the opportunity.

The $15,000 it usually cost to travel from New Zealand was out of reach for many.

The Muslim World League (MWL), a non-governmental organisation based in Saudi Arabia, said in May it would fund free trips to Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage, and King Salman announced on Tuesday he would pay for the visits instead.

MWL regional director, Mushabab Aiban,​ said the king’s directive had enabled the process to be sped up.

He said he hoped those who were not able to go to Mecca this year because of health or other issues would be able to go next year instead.