AT ONE WITH NZ
COAST UNITY IN FACE OF MOSQUE HORROR
THE Gold Coast has rallied around the Muslim community in a massive outpouring of shared grief after Friday’s horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch.
White supremacist Brenton Tarrant in northern NSW, opened fire at two mosques in the South Island’s biggest city, killing 50 people, including children and the elderly.
On Saturday about 1000 people visited the Gold Coast Mosque for a special memorial service after Gold Coast Mosque secretary Hussain Baba announced the service on social media.
Five men performed an emotional haka as a tribute to those people killed.
Mr Baba said he had never seen most of those who were there at the mosque before.
“They are coming in to show the solidarity and support,” he said.
“We have a beautiful community on the Gold Coast.”
Mr Baba was in Canberra when he heard the news.
“I was at the mosque in Canberra for weekly Friday prayers. And on the way to the mosque I heard the sad news,” he said.
“At the same time, I was doing what they were doing.”
Police have been assigned to protect the mosque in Arundel since Friday’s massacre.
Assistant Commissioner Brian Wilkins attended to express his sympathies.
“We are also here to reassure the Muslim community and the whole Coast community they are safe,” he said.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor, whose electorate encompasses the Gold Coast mosque, wept during the service.
“I’m still emotional, it was extraordinary to see everyone come out,” he said.
“I’m very proud its in my electorate. The family of Gold Coast Islamic Society’s president Hassan Goss has been around Labrador for 100 years. They have a street named after them.
“A big part of this hate came from this perceived issue with immigration. These people are more Gold Coast than anyone.”
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the service had shown that fear and hate would not win.
“Attacks like this are designed to spread fear and division. Today the community showed we are not going to allow our values of diversity and compassion to be shaken.”