Christchurch's Al-Noor Mosque first in the world to try new weapon detection security

Technology designed to protect public places from active shooters will be installed at Christchurch's Al-Noor Mosque.

US-based company Athena Security is behind the technology which connected to Al-Noor through the 'Keep Mosques Safe' programme. The initiative aims to prevent events such as the Christchurch terror attack.

Speaking from the US on Tuesday, company chief executive Lisa Falzone told Newshub Al-Noor would be the first mosque in the world to have such technology.

Falzone said the technology should be installed within the next week.

"The goal with the Keep Mosques Safe initiative is to have all mosques worldwide with it [and] not just mosques - churches, synagogues," she told Newshub.

"Churches, schools, businesses, mosques in New Zealand [and] around the world have shown interest."

Fifty-one people were killed in separate attacks at the Al-Noor and Linwood Ave mosques in Christchurch on March 15.

"We're the first that we know of to use artificial intelligence to detect when someone pulls out a gun," Falzone told Newshub.

She said the software would cost about $100 per month.

Muslim Association of Canterbury president Shagaf Khan told the NZ Herald it could be an essential security measure.

"If somebody comes with a weapon, it will give a notification within three seconds to authorities and police," Khan said.

"I hope that many mosques and Islamic schools get a chance to place this gun detection system."

Newshub.