KARACHI: Religious parties on Friday condemned the brutal attacks on mosques in New Zealand that lef t some 49 Muslims dead and called the international community to stand with the Muslims around the world who had been facing discrimination mainly in the Western world.

Condemning the Christchurch attacks, the Majlis-iWahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) demanded an investigation by the United Nations (UN) into the massacre to provide justice to victims and their families. The party supporters organised rallies and demonstrations across the city condemning the attacks. They also protested against `targeted killings of members of the Shia community in Dera Ismail Khan` Major demonstrations were held outside the Khoja Shia Isna Ashari Masjid in Kharadar, Jama Masjid Noor-i-Iman in Nazimabad and Jama Masjid Hyderi in Orangi Town.

They were also carrying placards and banners inscribed with demands for the arrest of terrorists in the targeted killings and capital punishment for them.

Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rahman in his statement also condemned the attacks on the mosques in New Zealand. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, he said the incident was the worst shape of terrorism.-Staff Reporter