CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand), March 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Women in Christchurch wore makeshift headscarves as a statement of peace and solidarity on Friday, a week after a white supremacist killed 50 Muslims at two mosques in the southern New Zealand city.
Rafaela Stoakes, a 32-year-old mother of two, said wearing the Islamic head
covering gave her an insight into what it means to stand out and feel part in
the minority.
On Friday morning she covered all but a few locks of her dark chestnut-
coloured hair in a loose red and white scarf, crossed neatly beneath her chin and tucked into a black hiking jacket.
She is one of many women in New Zealand who is embracing
#HeadScarfforHarmony, to make a stand against the hate espoused by the
Australian man accused of killing dozens of worshippers.
Headscarves are also being worn as a mark of respect by policewomen and
non-Muslim volunteers directing the crowds around the site in Christchurch holding communal prayers on Friday.
Many are wearing a headscarf for the first time.
Women have flooded Twitter, Facebook and other social media — which played a key role in allowing the gunman to spread his message — with their images. — NNN-AGENCIES
