Image of New Zealand’s Ardern hugging shooting victim projected on UAE skyscraper

The United Arab Emirates on Friday displayed an image of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on a skyscraper to thank her for how she handled the aftermath of last week’s deadly shooting at two Christchurch mosques.

The image, which depicts Ardern hugging one of the victims of the shootings, was projected on the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Friday evening, along with the word “peace.”

{mosads}UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted a picture of the Burj Khalifa and thanked Ardern for her “empathy and support.”

“New Zealand today fell silent in honour of the mosque attacks’ martyrs,” he wrote. “Thank you PM @jacindaardern and New Zealand for your sincere empathy and support that has won the respect of 1.5 billion Muslims after the terrorist attack that shook the Muslim community around the world.”

New Zealand today fell silent in honour of the mosque attacks’ martyrs. Thank you PM @jacindaardern and New Zealand for your sincere empathy and support that has won the respect of 1.5 billion Muslims after the terrorist attack that shook the Muslim community around the world. pic.twitter.com/9LDvH0ybhD

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 22, 2019

At least 50 people were killed following shootings at two Christchurch, New Zealand, mosques last week. New Zealand marked one week since the attacks with two minutes of silence and a Muslim prayer to honor the shootings’ victims. 

Ardern joined thousands of people in a park near one of the mosques. According to CNN she told mourners that “New Zealand mourns with you.”

According to CNN, she also quoted the Prophet Muhammad, saying “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain.”

The suspected shooter reportedly posted a lengthy Islamophobic manifesto online shortly before the shooting.