Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Fiji Imam Haji Musa Patel at the Manukau Memorial Gardens in Auckland yesterday afternoon.
Family and friends of the late Imam Musa Patel pray behind his body during his funeral at Manukau. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Christine Rovoi
Mr Patel was one of 50 people killed in two mosque shootings in Christchurch last Friday.
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Sana Mohammed, travelled from Hamilton to farewell her grand-uncle in a moving ceremony at the Jamia Masjid Al Mustafa mosque in Otahuhu.
Ms Mohammed said the events of Friday March 15 have forever changed her family.
She said like everyone else who knew Mr Patel, he is a great loss to them.
Ms Mohammed could not accompany her male relatives and friends to the cemetery at Manukau because it is forbidden for Muslim women to be present.
Safia Sabbir, was among family and friends who farewelled Mr Patel at the Jamia Masjid Al Mustafa mosque yesterday.
She said Mr Patel had officiated at her wedding and she would never forget his kindness and the advice he gave them.
"I've known him since I was a child in Fiji. He was the scholar who got us married in 1995. Very close to our hearts. We are here to pay respects to the family and to him."
NZ Pacific leaders make gesture of solidarity to Muslims
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Pacific Leadership Forum says the attack on the Christchurch mosques has left a permanent scar on the heart and soul of the nation.
It has offered its deepest and sincerest condolences and aroha to the Muslim community in Aotearoa, particularly those directly affected.
The forum says, that as migrants or sons and daughters of migrants to Aotearoa, the Pacific community understands the struggle against racism and the desire and right to be accepted for who you are.