The prize is given to people who have demonstrated exceptional service to the world, and who:

Many people feel that Ardern’s actions after the tragedy warrant such an accolade. Sine the attack the New Zealand prime minister has shown solidarity with Mulsims around the world - she wore a hijab, visited survivors and family members of the victims of the Christchurch shooting, and on Friday, visited a Muslim community wear she heard the Friday call to prayer.

Muslims are grateful to Ardern and praised her unwavering support.

A petition started in France is circulating online for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her response to the shooting massacre in Christchurch.

French poet Dr Khal Torabully, founder of the intellectual centre, House of Wisdom Fez-Granada, is behind the petition launched on Friday.

He was not familiar with Ardern before the shooting put her in the spotlight around the globe.

"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," Torabully said.

As of Saturday morning the petition had received almost 400 signatures.

"The leadership she showed during and after the terrorist attack – she was very calm, quiet, but very firm, and that is a great combination.

"In the global context of terrorism her response was dignified and inclusive."

Torabully said in many countries, especially in France, where he is based, there is a gap between the political elite and the people, and politicians often used tragic events for their own agendas. In contrast, Ardern acted for the general public.

"She inspired love and hope across the world. We need leaders like that.

"This is a really big step for peace in the world. I believe New Zealand can be a place where something big can happen for mankind."

The Nobel prize is given to people who have demonstrated exceptional service to the world and who have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.

Ardern has called the mosque shootings one of New Zealand's darkest days.

On Thursday, she announced a ban on military style, semi-automatic guns and assault rifles following the Christchurch mosque shootings, a move that has been widely commended.

Ardern has said she didn't believe she was showing leadership. Rather, she believes she is showing humanity.

She has been a pillar of support for the Muslim community, visiting victims in hospital, and speaking at Cashmere High School, Christchurch, which lost three students.

The House of Wisdom is a public academy and intellectual centre in Baghdad, Iraq, which has worked for many years translating works from Greek and Syriac to Arabic.

Torabully founded the Moroccan and Spanish branch of the House of Wisdom in 2016 to foster inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue between the Mediterranean and North Africa.

"We believe diversity is not a threat. It enriches people," Torabully said.

The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. and only three New Zealanders have been recipients previously.

Alan MacDiarmid was a recipient in 2000 for chemistry; Ernest Rutherford, also for chemistry in 1908; and Maurice Wilkins, for physiology or medicine in 1962.