His mosque was attacked. His answer was love. | Gamal Fouda | TEDxChristchurch

On March 15th, 2019, a terrorist walked into a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, and started firing. He ultimately killed 52 people and wounded 47 more. In a talk overflowing with grace and dignity, Gamal Fouda, the Imam of that mosque, talks about his journey from Egypt to New Zealand, from student to Imam... and, ultimately, from fear to love. Gamal Fouda is the Imam of the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, which was attacked by a white supremacist on March 15. 52 people died, including 44 from Al Noor.

A week after the event, Fouda led Friday prayers in Christchurch's Hagley Park, declaring that evil ideology will never triumph over love and unity.

He has since welcomed luminaries such as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Prince William, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the mosque, to discuss the Muslim community's response to the attacks and to hate speech.

Gamal’s work to unite religious communities started before the Christchurch attack; he has previously liaised with Martin Shulz and the German Social Democratic Party; the Grand Imam of Alazhar—the highest religious figure in the Muslim world; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; and the Secretary General of Muslim World League.

Gamal is originally from Egypt and moved to New Zealand in 2003. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx