The whole world and its citizens were one with Paris, France as they prayed for the safety of the country and mourned the lives lost during the multiple Friday the 13th attacks in the city.
According to ABC News, all the attackers in the unfortunate incident were believed to be dead. It was mentioned that they wore suicide vests as they bomb a concert, a stadium and fired at the public as they were on the streets and cafes. At least 120 lives were feared lost in the multiple terror attacks. Reuters reported that the Islamic State has claimed responsibility over the attacks.
As fear gripped the City of Lights, the rest of the world lit up to share their strength to the afflicted city. The #PrayforParis hashtag immediately captured netizens as they shared their unity to the French. As reported by Fox 6, the #PrayforParis hashtag as well as #PeaceforParis swelled on social media. Various organizations have also banded to get donations and help for the City of Lights.
Meanwhile, various countries also expressed their solidarity towards France while at the same time condemning the terror attacks that hit the public. Landmarks in various parts of the world, according to Buzzfeed, lit up to the colors of the French flag after the multiple attacks happened. Among them were the New York One World Trade Center, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil and Toronto CN Tower. The Sydney Opera House also lit up in different colors as part of the Pray for Paris movement.
Celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Jared Leto, Justin Bieber, Sam Smith, Kelly Clarkson and more have also taken to social media with the hashtag #PrayforParis as they expressed their unity with the people and families affected by the tragedy as reported by Mail Online.
Amid the Pray For Paris movement all over the world, French president Francois Hollande has taken steps to ensure the safety of the rest of the country. As told in The Washington Post, Hollande has declared state of emergency and has closed the borders for now. He also asked his people to keep strong.
"Faced with terror, France must be strong, it must be great and the state authorities must be firm," Hollande said as quoted by the source above.
The US, UK and other countries have pledged their support to France after the terror attacks. Pope Francis has also spoken about the incident calling it a "piecemeal third world war" that won't ever be humanly or religiously justified.
"I am close to the people of France, to the families of the victims, and I am praying for all of them," Pope Francis also told Vatican Radio.
Aside from the #PrayforParis hashtag on Twitter, there were also movements praying for Beirut, Lebanon and Japan. At least 43 people were dead in suicide bombings in Beirut on Thursday according to CNN. Japan, meanwhile, experienced small tsunamis following a magnitude-7.0 quake on Friday the 13th as told by BBC.
