New Zealand experienced unspeakable horror on Friday (March 15), the likes of which no human being, community or nation should ever be subject to.
The shootings at two mosques left at least 40 dead, and was one of the worst massacres New Zealand has ever had the misfortune to experience.
Barely hours later, we had the further misfortune to hear some truly appalling statements by a senator for Queensland, in Australia, Fraser Anning.
"Let us be clear, while Muslims may have been the victims today, usually they are the perpetrators. Worldwide, Muslims are killing people in the name of their faith on an industrial scale.
"The entire religion is simply the violent ideology of a sixth century despot masquerading as a religious leader, which justifies endless war against anyone who opposes it and calls for the murder of unbelievers and apostates.
"The truth is that Islam is not like any other faith. It is the religious equivalent of fascism. And just because the followers of this savage belief were not the killers in this instance does not make them blameless.
"As we read in Matthew 26:52; 'All they that take the sword, shall perish by the sword' and those who follow a violent religion that calls on them to murder us, cannot be too surprised when someone takes them at their word and responds in kind," he was quoted as saying. Politician lashes out at Muslims after Christchurch shootings: ‘They are the perpetrators’
This level of naked, despicable bigotry is shocking.