Mosque attacks  |  8 Nov 2019

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U2 band manager and Hollywood music industry mogul Guy Oseary has again reached out to Christchurch’s Muslim community.

Mr Oseary and his wife Michelle came to Christchurch on Thursday to visit the Al Noor and Linwood mosques before flying back to Auckland to re-join U2 for this weekend’s concerts.

Mr Oseary,  who also manages Madonna and a host of other music legends, was the architect of a massive fundraising effort in the United States to support the victims of the 15 March mosque attacks.

The attacks claimed the lives of 51 people.

 “I read the frightening details and I could barely find the strength to watch a short clip of the disturbing footage. My heart breaks for the victims and their families,” Mr Oseary wrote when launching his fundraising campaign.

The campaign raised around $US155,000 for the  Victim Support Appeal, with 692 people from 30 different countries and almost all 50 American states contributing money and messages of support. Hollywood celebrities who donated included Madonna, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Ashton Kutcher and Josh Brolin.

Mr Oseary initiated Thursday’s private visit to Christchurch. When welcomed at the Al Noor mosque he said it was important for him to come and show that he, U2 and so many people around the world, were standing alongside the Christchurch’s Muslim community.

“It is extremely humbling to be here with you today,’ said Mr Oseary.

Mr Oseary, who is Jewish and was born in Israel, told those at the mosque that five months before the Christchurch attacks he was deeply moved by a tragedy affecting his own Jewish community.

Eleven people were killed while praying at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue. It was the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the United States.

Mr Oseary donated to a GoFundMe campaign for the families of the victims, which was set up by an Iranian immigrant based in Washingon DC.

“In light of what that person did for my community, it was important for me, an Israeli Jew, to show love and care for the Muslim community in New Zealand.  We are all connected in peace and love and New Zealand is one of the most peaceful places on earth,” he said.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh also donated nearly $1million to the victims of the Mosque attacks.

Mr Oseary said he wanted to stay connected with Christchurch’s Muslim community.. “You have my email address and number. I am only a phone call away. I want to stay in touch,” he told local community representatives.  “I genuinely mean it.”