PM Says New Zealand Has Duty to Support Muslim Community

Temel Atacocugu (R), a survivor of the twin mosque shootings, reacts as he speaks during a national remembrance service in Christchurch on March 13, 2021, to mark two years since the Christchurch mosque attacks. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer / POOL / AFP)
Temel Atacocugu (R), a survivor of the twin mosque shootings, reacts as he speaks during a national remembrance service in Christchurch on March 13, 2021, to mark two years since the Christchurch mosque attacks. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer / POOL / AFP)
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PM Says New Zealand Has Duty to Support Muslim Community

Temel Atacocugu (R), a survivor of the twin mosque shootings, reacts as he speaks during a national remembrance service in Christchurch on March 13, 2021, to mark two years since the Christchurch mosque attacks. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer / POOL / AFP)
Temel Atacocugu (R), a survivor of the twin mosque shootings, reacts as he speaks during a national remembrance service in Christchurch on March 13, 2021, to mark two years since the Christchurch mosque attacks. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer / POOL / AFP)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told an emotional memorial service marking two years since the deadly Christchurch mosque attacks that the country had "a duty" to support its Muslim community.

Hundreds of people turned out for the service at the Christchurch Arena, held amid tight security, to remember the 51 people killed and dozens wounded when a heavily armed gunman opened fire in two mosques on March 15, 2019.

The remembrance service was also livestreamed. A similar service planned for last year was canceled at short notice due to the sudden spread of the coronavirus.

Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times in the face, arms and legs, wept as he recalled waiting to be treated with the father of three-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim when they learned the toddler had died.

"Suddenly, my pain seemed insignificant," he said.

Ardern, who was widely praised for the compassion shown to survivors and the families of the victims of the shooting and her swift move to tighten firearms control in New Zealand, said words "despite their healing power" would never change what happened.

"Men, women and children ... were taken in an act of terror. Words will not remove the fear that descended over the Muslim community," she said, adding the legacy should be "a more inclusive nation, one that stands proud of our diversity and embraces it and, if called to, defends it staunchly."

Atacocugu said it was a miracle he was still alive.

"I have since had seven major surgeries and there are more to come. I will carry lots of shrapnel in my body for the rest of my life. Every time I have an X-ray it lights up like a Christmas tree."

Kiran Munir, whose husband Shaheed Haroon Mahmood was killed in the attack, told the service that the best revenge was to "not be like the enemy. We are learning to rise up again with dignity and move forward as best we can."

During the service, the names of each of the 51 people who were killed were read out. The efforts of first responders, including police and medics, were also acknowledged.

The gunman, self-proclaimed white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, was arrested minutes after the attacks on the Al Noor mosque and Linwood Islamic Center.

The Australian pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism, and was sentenced last year to life imprisonment without parole, the first time a whole life term has been handed down in New Zealand.

Last week, police arrested a 27-year-old man in Christchurch and charged him with threatening to kill following online threats to the same two mosques.

During the memorial service, armed police were stationed outside the venue and a sniffer dog checked the bags of people entering the building.



Macron to Raise Defense Targets, Citing Russia Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025.  EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL  MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT
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Macron to Raise Defense Targets, Citing Russia Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025.  EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL  MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called for a massive boost to France's defense spending, saying freedom in Europe was facing a greater threat than at any time since the end of World War II.

"We are living a pivotal moment," Macron said in a speech to the armed forces on the eve of the national Bastille Day holiday, denouncing "imperialist policies", "annexing powers" and the notion that "might is right", all a reference to Russia, AFP said.

"Never has peace on our continent depended to such an extent on the decisions that we take now," said Macron.

France faced the challenge "of remaining free and masters of our destiny", he added.

Macron said France's defense budget should rise by 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in 2026, and then by a further three billion euros in 2027.

'Present at their battle stations'

"If you want to be feared, you must be powerful," he said, calling for "mobilization" for national defense by all government departments.

"Everyone must be present at their battle stations," Macron said.

"We are still ahead, but if we remain at the same speed we will be overtaken tomorrow," he added.

French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defense Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a "durable" threat to Europe and that the "rank of European countries in tomorrow's world" was being decided in Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022.

Russia currently views France as its "main adversary in Europe", Burkhard said.

He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks.

"We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters," he said.

On Sunday, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that "it's our job to provide answers".

France needed to make "a new effort" if it wanted to "depend on nobody" in the future, the minister said.

France's defense budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, rising from 32.2 billion euros ($37.6 billion at current rates) in 2017 to 50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach 67 billion euros in 2030.

'Sacrosanct' defense budget

If confirmed, the major defense spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline.

The servicing of France's debt alone will cost the Treasury 62 billion euros this year.

But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on Tuesday is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defense budget to be "sacrosanct" and exempt from budgetary cuts.

In Sunday's speech, Macron rejected any financing of the additional defense spending through additional debt.

Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance's members agreed last month to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security.

Britain aims to increase its defense budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 percent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defense budget of 162 billion euros by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 percent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 percent of GDP to defense.

"Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks," Macron said on Thursday.

Lecornu this month detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defenses, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities.

In Sunday's interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in "disruptive technologies" including artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost "national cohesion" in the face of global crises, Elysee officials said.

Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilization drive for young people who should be given "an opportunity to serve", Elysee officials said.