Opinion

On the Monday after the day that changed New Zealand forever, I was contacted by a senior journalist from Stuff. He wrote in an email asking for an interview about free speech and other freedoms being undermined as a result of the massacre.

A few years ago the English writer Douglas Murray published a book entitled "Islamophilia: A Very Metropolitan Malady". It attempted to upset the premise of widespread "Islamophobia" by cataloguing the limitless kowtowing to the tender sensitivities of the "Religion of Peace".

There have been many outlandish claims in the aftermath of the Christchurch shooting tragedy, ideologues stacked up with grievances at hand. However, there has been no other claim more tangential than that of Douglas Pratt's.

To understand the motives, the risk factors, and the background of the killer is essential for the prevention of further such episodes. But Brenton Tarrant has left behind a perplexing array of clues designed to obfuscate his true intentions.

Canadian author and columnist Mark Steyn, who is also a regular on Tucker Carlson Tonight, had some comments to make about New Zealand's reaction to the Christchurch massacre just over a week on.

This statement was made by Imam Tawhidi, an Australian Shia reformist, on Alt News Media yesterday. I thought it worth reprinting in full.

I'd like to clear up some misconceptions about right/left politics. As a politically active young man in my twenties, I often find myself engaging in the same debates over and over again. If only a consensus could be reached on the definition of left-wing and right-wing politics.

Why did the maniac choose to come to New Zealand to shoot peaceful Muslims instead of going to Syria and shooting real Islamic terrorists? Because, though he maybe consumed with hatred, he is not insane.

There have been two announcements for remembrance on Friday, one of which I support and the other which I strongly denounce. A two-minute's silence and the Islamic call to prayer will be broadcast.

As a Christian Libertarian New Zealander, my sincere condolences go out to the Muslim community in Christchurch and their greater families and friends. Their wounded in the hospitals are in my prayers.