Petitions call for Nobel Peace Prize to Ardern

WELLINGTON: Two petitions were launched calling for New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for her handling of the March 15 Christchurch mosques carnage, the media reported on Saturday.

A Change.org petition, that started four days ago, has garnered more than 3,000 signatures while a petition on French website AVAAZ.org received over 1,000 signatures, The New Zealand Herald reported.

"Following the tragic events of Christchurch and the adequate, open and peaceful response of New Zealand Premier Jacinda Ardern, we wish to propose her as the recipient of the upcoming Nobel Peace Prize," the French petition said.

Burj Khalifa tower was lit the previous night with an image of New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in appreciation of her solidarity position with her country's Muslim community.

Ardern has been praised by the international community for the way she led the country through the carnage where 50 people lost their lives.

In recognition of Ardern's work, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was lit up with an image of her in a hijab hugging a Muslim woman.

IANS