Thousands attend vigils to remember mosque shooting victims

People turned out in big numbers around New Zealand for the official Islamic Call to Prayer this afternoon, one week after 50 people were killed in attacks on two mosques in Christchurch.

Subsequently, vigils are being held across Aotearoa.

Christchurch

The main event was in North Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor Mosque on Deans Ave, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attending the ceremony.

Prayer mats were laid out in the park facing the mosque, which is about 100m away.

A large screen was erected so that members of the public could follow what was going on. The call to prayer started at 1.30pm.

Afterward, Al Noor Mosque Imam Gamal Fouda, who survived Friday's attacks, spoke, telling the crowd New Zealand was unbreakable.

"We are broken-hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive, we are together, we are determined to not let anyone divide us."

More than 2000 people have indicated they will attend the Christchurch 'March for Love' which will start at North Hagley Park at 10am on Saturday, 23 March.

After a speech from the mayor, a Muslim prayer and performances, the march would wind its way along Rolleston Ave to the wall of flowers and then back to the park.

Three 16-year-olds had organised the event including Manaia Butler. A lot of hate had been brought to Christchurch, she said.

"The most powerful solution to that is a whole lot of love being shown and we've shown that through the earthquakes and we may have forgotten that over the few years that have been between these two events but it's a great time to bring the Christchurch community back together again and heal and acknowledge those who have been lost and those who have helped out in this time of need."

Remember Those Who Lost Their Lives 15-3-19 will be held at 5pm on Sunday at North Hagley Park and hopes to attract 50,000 people.

From 5pm prayers would be led by Muslim and Christian leaders followed by performances by opera singers and a kapa haka group. The vigil would make use of the stage for the cancelled Bryan Adams concert.

Organiser Scott Esdaile had been working on organising the vigil since the night of the shootings.

"We want to get the young ones there so I thought why not make this a family friendly event and turn it in to a little bit of a picnic and people can bring their candles and their blankets and a wee bit of something to eat because I know it's around dinner time and you know we can all just come together as a community and just show our support."

Buses would be free this weekend and people were urged to use them rather than drive their cars.

Auckland

Members of the public paid their respects at Auckland mosques, such as the Masjid E Umar in Mount Roskill.

Kathryn, a preschool teacher, brought a card filled with art made by the pupils.

She said the school was diverse and they wanted to show they cared about the Muslim community.

In Avondale, members of the community createed a human chain outside the Islamic Centre.

Auckland's mayor Phil Goff attended the Jamia Masjid Al Mustafa in Ōtāhuhu.

He said the reaction to the shootings was the biggest show of community solidarity he'd seen in his lifetime.

"Through the gruelling week that we've had, the incredibly positive outcome has been just to see people come together in a way that over my whole lifetime I've never seen happen in New Zealand," he said.

"People determined to stand together to say what happened does not reflect us as a people, it doesn't reflect us as a nation, these are not our values."

Mr Goff said all the Muslim communities he has meet say they feel wonderfully supported by the people of New Zealand.

• Christchurch mosque terror attacks day 8: What you need to know
• If you know of an event that is not included on this list, please email us at webnews@rnz.co.nz

Later this afternoon, mosques in Ponsonby, Glenfield, Ranui and Pakuranga will open their doors to the public for prayer.

Thousands of people turned up at Auckland Domain this evening. People lit candles, sat close, and listened quietly.

A karanga from dozens of women opened the vigil, and the names of all 50 victims were read out, to complete silence across the domain.

"Kia kaha" t-shirts were worn, and one read "love for all, hatred for none".

Speakers were from the Muslim, refugee and migrant communities, mana whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, two Green MPs - Marama Davidson and Golriz Ghahraman - and Auckland Grammar and Girls Grammar schools.

After a call to prayer by the Imam of Jamia Masjid Al Mustafa, Alhaji Molvi Abdul Shafeez, the evening became a call to action.

Behind the speakers was a banner that said "destroy Islamaphobia", and some called for the end of white supremacy and colonialism.

"This week, the rhetoric of 'This Is Not Us' has proliferated. This denial has been hurtful to many migrants and Māori, who know all too well that this is us. This is us, and always has been us," Valerie Morse of Auckland Peace Action said.

Azad Khan from Tāmaki Anti-Fascist Action praised the prime minister.

"Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, you have shown great leadership. Your empathy, compassion, love and prayers has been an inspiration to us all.

"What we want to see is a more proactive approach from the government. We want measures taken so Muslims, migrants and Māori are not treated as a marginalised and persecuted community."

Tamkeen Saeid from the Peace Foundation, and the Youth Liaison Refugee Council, said the terrorist attack blew a lid off what has been bubbling for a long time in New Zealand.

"For what so many immigrants have been experiencing for years. Now we are confronted with this side of our nation and we must fight it.

"My culture, the religion I grew up in, and the colour of my skin does not make me any less of a human being."

"If you share a story like mine and are wondering where you can call home anymore: this is still our home."

An anti-Islamophobia rally, Kia Kaha Aotearoa: Stand Against Racism, will be held at Aotea Square in Auckland at 2pm on Sunday, 24 March.

Wellington

Thousands of people including emergency service staff, Police Commissioner Mike Bush, Mayor Justin Lestor, MPs Grant Robertson and James Shaw and leaders from other religious communities arrived at Kilbirnie mosque.

A human chain has been formed outside the mosque who have at times broken into a waiata.

A haka was also performed by local school children.

Chief operating officer of The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, Sultan Eusoff said he'd never seen anything like it.

"It is so moving and it's momentous to see so many people, with so many people with different ethnicities, communities from every walk of life," he said.

Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Sikh, Christian and Jewish religions were there to show their support.

Rabbi Jo-Ellen Duckor said the Muslim community rallied around when the Jewish community was attacked in Pittsburgh and wanted to show their support here in New Zealand.

"It could have easily been our community, the exact same things that were said about this community could be said about the Jewish community as far as being at risk.

"We just want to show that we're very similar, the Muslims are our brothers and sisters," she said.

Wearing sparkly hijabs and big grins Salma, Sara and Sahida were happy to everyone outside their mosque.

"Lots of people supporting us, which is good, it's the first time I've seen this many people come to Kilbirnie mosque!" they each chimed in.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush was among those who attended the event in Kilbirnie.

"I want to give them every assurance we will do everything humanly possible to keep them safe from harm," he said.

Dame Kate Harcourt said she had never been inside a mosque before, but found the experience wonderful.

"It was unlike anything I've ever experienced and I wouldn't miss it for anything," she said.

She said she was feeling anxiety, but also hope, because the love that has been shown.

Tauranga

About 1500 people visited Tauranga mosque, many forming a human chain.

They were invited into the mosque but there were so many people they spilled out onto the street.

National Party leader Simon Bridges attended and school students performed a haka.

Two gangs - Mongrel Mob and Greazy Dogs - turned out, saying they were there to offer protection.

Dunedin

Down in Dunedin, an emotional haka was performed outside the Al Huda Mosque as a show of solidarity. The street was packed as hundreds of people joined the circle of peace.

A Muslim woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was touched by the support.

"It's overwhelming and unexpected, but very touching and it's really nice to see so much support. It's not something I've ever imagined before in my life," she said.

One of the messages written on a poster read: "Stay strong because things will be better. It might be stormy now, but it can't rain forever."

Other vigils around the country

In Nelson, crowds gathered in for today's Hands Around Nelson's Mosque memorial prayer service in Hardy Street.

Whangarei Anglicans faced Mecca, wore scarves, and left their shoes at the church door today to show support for Muslims.

A vigil will be held at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth at 7pm.

A candle-lit hikoi of unity will be held in Hastings, starting at Albert Square at 6.30pm and finishing at the Baitul Mokarram Masjid in Heretaunga Street East. Women wanting to attend are asked to wear headscarves as a sign of respect if they feel comfortable doing so.

A vigil will be held at Imam Reza Mosque in New Lynn from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

The Kāpiti Vigil for Christchurch will be held at 7pm at the Zeal youth centre at 132 Rimu Road.

Vigils overseas

In the UK, a group that helps refugees and asylym seekers, held a vigil.

In the US, the Islamic Center of Boulder held a vigil.

Crowds gathered at the Sydney Town Hall Square to pay tribute to the victims of the shootings.