Saudi King Salman orders hosting 200 Christchurch attack victims for Hajj

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has ordered the hosting of 200 people from the families of the Christchurch mosque attack victims to perform Hajj in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency SPA reported on Tuesday.

The decision came as part of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Hosting Program, which is executed by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance annually.

Announcing the decision, the Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz al-Sheikh said that it is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to counter terrorism and support the families of those who were affected by the “abominable act that is contrary to all divine teachings and human values and principles”.

Al-Sheikh also said that the ministry will work on following up the procedures of inviting the families of the victims with the Saudi embassy in New Zealand, adding that it will provide all services necessary for them to perform the Islamic ritual of Hajj.

The Christchurch mosque attack left 50 Muslims dead and dozens injured after a gunman walked into a mosque during Friday prayers and randomly shot people while broadcasting live footage on Facebook.