NEW YORK / GUTERRES MOSQUE

STORY: NEW YORK / GUTERRES MOSQUE
TRT: 2:52
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 22 MARCH 2019, NEW YORK CITY

SHOTLIST:

1.Various shots, Islamic Cultural Centre of New York
2. Various shots, Secretary-General arriving at the mosque
3. Wide shot, Secretary-General walking to the podium
4. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“We need to act against extremism in all its forms – whether it targets mosques, synagogues, churches or anywhere else. Here today, in the peace of this holy space, I am making a global call to reaffirm the sanctity of all places of worship and the safety of all worshippers who visit revered sites in a spirit of compassion and tolerance.”
5. Various shots, Guterres greeting by children
6. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Around the world, we have seen ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, hate speech and bigotry. I have repeatedly warned about these dangers. Hate speech is spreading like wildfire. Social media is being exploited as a platform for bigotry. Public discourse is being coarsened. Many political movements are either openly admitting their neo-Nazi affiliation, or lip syncing the words, and cutting and pasting the symbols and images. The cancer is spreading. It is our duty to find the cure.”
7.Various shots, Geterres at the mosque
8. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“I know these are trying times. But I am here to say with a heart that is heavy, but full: You are not alone. The world is with you. The United Nations is with you. I am with you.”
9. Various shots, exterior, Islamic Cultural Centre of New York

STORYLINE:

UN chief António Guterres visited a mosque in New York today to express solidarity with the Muslim community after the deadly terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand. He made a global call to reaffirm “the sanctity of all places of worship and the safety of all worshippers who visit revered sites in a spirit of compassion and tolerance.”

Speaking to reporters at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York today (22 Mar), Guterres honored the stories of the victims and commended the leadership and love from the people of New Zealand.

Reiterating that the attack was utterly appalling, and yet not utterly surprising, the UN chief stated, “around the world, we have seen ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, hate speech and bigotry. I have repeatedly warned about these dangers.”

He continued, “hate speech is spreading like wildfire. Social media is being exploited as a platform for bigotry. Public discourse is being coarsened. Many political movements are either openly admitting their neo-Nazi affiliation, or lip syncing the words, and cutting and pasting the symbols and images. The cancer is spreading. It is our duty to find the cure.”

Guterres noted that media has an important role to play in this regard. A recent study by researchers at Georgia State University and the University of Alabama says that over roughly the last decade, attacks in the US by those claiming to be Muslim received 357 percent more coverage than attacks carried out by others. The UN chief reiterated the need, at all costs, to avoid this kind of discrimination.

Guterres also announced that the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Moratinos, will develop an Action Plan for the whole UN to be fully engaged in support of safeguarding religious sites.

Before the press encounter, the UN chief spoke with religious leaders in the mosque, reaffirming that “ these are trying times. " He added, "But I am here to say with a heart that is heavy, but full: You are not alone. The world is with you. The United Nations is with you. I am with you.”

According to reports, at least 50 people were killed in a terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.