Dalai Lama condemns Christchurch shootings

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has written to the New Zealand Prime Minister to express sadness over the tragic deaths and injuries in shootings that took place in a place of worship in Christchurch, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said on Friday.

"I admire the courage, wisdom and leadership you have shown in spontaneously declaring that the victims of violence belong to the family of New Zealanders, while the perpetrator of violence set himself apart," he wrote to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

"It is unthinkable that these days we see people killing each other in the name of religion or out of hostility to another faith. This is why I am committed to creating a greater awareness of the oneness of humanity -- the fact that as human beings we are mentally, physiclly and emotionally the same."

"I applaud the way you and the people of New Zealand have reached out with compassion and support to members of the Muslim community among you. It is encouraging too that across the world, people of all faiths are visiting mosques in solidarity with Muslims after the Christchurch shootings," the Nobel Peace Laureaute said.

He concluded his letter by observing: "Your government's determination to reform gun laws will contribute to peace and security, but equally important is to resist hatred and fear by cultivating warm-heartedness as you have shown."

--IANS

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