I've been watching this debate, and other debates like it, from Mt Eden in Auckland. I have two family members actively involved in the aftermath of last Fridays event, and our family actively engages with Muslim members of the community through sports and business activities.
The effect of last Fridays massacre has really knobbled New Zealand in a way I have never seen before. It has defiled our innocence and replaced our normal happy-go-lucky attitude with an intense sense of gloom. I respectfully suggest that most Australians can not comprehend the eviscerating effect last Friday has had on the fabric of New Zealand, probably in the same way we never comprehended the pain from the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996.
The debate of observance of Muslim customs in New Zealand (and especially on social media) has mostly been respectful and mature. I'm not sure I can honestly say the same about the discussions on Australian forums. Most media organisations did not need to be ordered to broadcast the call to pray. Most media organisations will probably do it as a matter of respect and because it feels like the right thing to do, given the enormity of the situation. The vast majority of all these acts are completely voluntary. This is New Zealand right now, this is us.
