New Zealand's silver fern redrawn as Muslims praying gets plenty of online attention

In the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attack, a reimagined version of a famous New Zealand symbol has garnered plenty of online attention.

Australian cartoonist Pat Campbell, who works for newspaper The Canberra Times, drew an illustration of the silver fern showing Muslims in different stages of prayer for the publication.

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Campbell first drew the image on Saturday morning, which instead of fern fronds, depicted 49 figures to represent the people who died in the attack. 

On Tuesday he added another figure to the illustration, to mark the death toll rising to 50.

The silver fern is often used to represent New Zealand, and is often used to represent the country's sporting teams like the All Blacks national rugby team.

Campbell's version found itself quickly spread around the internet, amassing tens of thousands of shares.

Campbell told Mashable that he "honestly didn’t expect it to be shared as much as it has."

"It's a bitter-sweet thing for me," he said. "I’m happy to step back from the image and let it have a life of its own. Different people draw different meaning from the image and I’m happy to hear what they derive from it.

"I’ve had many positive messages and I’m touched that people are getting solace and a sense of solidarity from it. I hope that carries on to those in Christchurch who need it."

Campbell's illustration is one of a number of art tributes which have been shared widely since the Christchurch attack. 

Wellington artist Ruby Jones drew an image of two women embracing, captioned with the words: "This is your home and you should have been safe here."

Auckland mural artist Paul Walsh unveiled a painting which features the image of Naeem Rashid, who attempted to stop the shooter in the attack.

Rashid will receive a national bravery award in Pakistan for his actions, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in a tweet on Sunday.

[h/t BuzzFeed]

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