Memorials’ mark of respect
Palmerston North’s Freyberg High School is creating a diversity memorial to remember the victims of the Christchurch shooting.
More tributes flowed as Freyberg held a memorial service yesterday for the Christchurch victims and to show support for the Muslim community.
There was a karakia, a school waiata, speeches, an Islamic prayer and then students laid five white stones in a heart shape. The stones will later be covered with messages and laid in concrete as a diversity memorial.
Head girl Hannah Prisk spoke to the crowd and said Freyberg was a school full of diversity and love, and she wanted people to ‘‘move forward with love and kindness’’.
Student Sameer Niaz-muhammed, a Muslim originally from Afghanistan, said no religion supported terrorism.
‘‘What happened in Christchurch, that’s unforgettable.’’
Principal Peter Brooks said he had been sad and angry since the attack.
‘‘But I’ve also had incredible hope because I’ve seen the words and the actions of the students,’’ he said. ‘‘That was a horrible flame of hatred, but the floods of love like this will extinguish that, hopefully forever.
‘‘We think of those 50 people who were leading normal lives this time last week and were so tragically struck down.’’
In another memorial service, Manawatu¯ swimming coach Lin Tozer organised an event to honour those killed in Christchurch, getting swimmers to do 50 laps of the 50-metre pool at The Lido, Palmerston North, in 50 seconds for each lap.
Sixty swimmers hit the pool for the event and the outdoor 50m pool was full.
‘‘I haven’t had to beg anybody to come down,’’ Tozer said. ‘‘Everyone has come down of their own volition.
‘‘We’ve got kids from the Kiwi club, Linton, Dannevirke, Icebreaker, we’ve got all sorts.’’
Pahı¯atua’s Tararua College also held a fundraiser on Wednesday, while Palmerston North Girls’ High School and Palmerston North Boys’ High School have been selling black ribbons as fundraisers.
Many Manawatu¯ schools are holding a ‘‘colour your day’’ mufti day today, as part of a nationwide fundraiser.
Also today, people are expected to turn out in force to stand watch as Palmerston North’s Muslim community prays.
People are invited to line the streets around the Manawatu¯ Islamic Centre on Cook St from 1pm, as members arrive at the mosque for afternoon prayers.
There is also a ‘‘we are one’’ community gathering at the Feilding Farmers’ Market in Manchester Square at 10am.
‘‘What happened in Christchurch, that’s unforgettable.’’
Student Sameer Niaz-muhammed