King Salman to host families of Christchurch attack victims during Hajj season

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia will host 200 Hajj pilgrims of families of victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand on the orders of King Salman, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

The attack in March by Brenton Tarrant on two mosques in the city killed 50 people and wounded dozens more.

The directive from King Salman was announced on Tuesday by Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs.

Al-Sheikh said the hosting of the families during the Hajj season as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to “confront and defeat terrorism” in all forms.

Al-Sheikh added that his ministry was working with the Saudi embassy in New Zealand to ensure the invitees have everything they need to perform Hajj during their visit.