Mosque attack marked
It will be one year this weekend since the horror which took place at a Christchurch mosque, when 51 people died and 49 were injured after a lone gunman fired on worshippers inside two separate mosques in the city.
To commemorate those who lost their lives and show support and unity, the Multicultural Association HB (MCAHB) is hosting a memorial service this Saturday, March 14 at the Napier Sound Shell starting at 5pm.
Sunkhdeep Singh took over the role as president of the Hawke’s Bay branch in November last year and has been part of the association since 2010.
“MCA has been very close to my heart since day one. Over this period, I was secretary, treasurer, board member and funding officer,” he says.
Sukhdeep says the purpose of the organisation is about achieving respect through valuing and celebrating cultural diversity, encouraging inclusivity, encouraging the participation and contribution of all ethnicities in society.
“It’s about creating opportunities for people to connect, and adapt so that there is increased cultural competency, cultural awareness, knowledge, and sensitivity to different perspectives. It’s about equity for all ethnicities so that we can have a stronger more vibrant and safer society. Please like our Multicultural Association Facebook page for our events.”
The MCAHB executive committee has eight members who represent different ethnic communities in Hawke’s Bay.
“We have a great passionate team this year. We have more than 200 paid and non-paid members. Our members attend our various events throughout the year. We organise International Cultures Day linked with Race Relations Day, Asians in the Bay Awards, quarterly potlucks with different themes, women’s leadership courses, women’s public speaking courses and many more to bring everyone together to celebrate the diversity and build the harmonious Hawke’s Bay.”
Sunkhdeep says some Hawke’s Bay families were in Christchurch at the time of the shootings and a few of them were in the mosque at the time of the incident.
“After this incident it was difficult to make a connection and understand their situation. At the same time travel to Christchurch was limited as well. Which was making the situation disturbed to know the situation of loved ones, but it was all for safety precaution of the remaining people.”
He says there was some fallout in communities, with a couple of “misbehaviour complaints” and bullying to kids reported. Movement was restricted and the mosque provided with security to avoid such kinds of incidents in the Hawke’s Bay area, Sukhdeep says.
“People performed their religious duties under security and monitoring till confirmation of the situation was in control.”
He says following the attacks everyone was shocked and people were reluctant to go out.
“It affected our members in the same way it affected many members in society. People had a sense of horror, empathy, togetherness, determination to fight harder against the ideas which can result in such a massacre.”
The MCAHB was involved in several events immediately after the Christchurch tragedy, with event speaking, attending the community events, and assisting where needed or requested.
“We contributed to the memorial held at the sports stadium, attended Ifthaar at the mosque as well as Eid Function.”
Sukhdeep says all of the organisation’s activities are designed to bring people together to learn from each other, share their cultural experience and stories to eliminate racial discrimination.
He says this weekend’s memorial is an opportunity to stand together again and to remember the victims.
“Their bravery. To not forget. To reflect on the Christchurch event and the past year. Speakers have been invited to speak on what initiatives are happening, what work is being done, and what positive improvements have been made to ensure the safety and inclusion of the diverse communities, proud to call Aotearoa home.”
The 90 minute memorial programme includes karakia, haka, pipe band, prayer, short speeches from local MPs, the Hastings and Napier Mayors, Office of Ethnic Communities representative, the Pakistan High Commissioner and a mosque representative.
“MCA has a memorial book to collect messages to hand to the Christchurch mosque. Our Hawke’s Bay interfaith group will provide white boards where our Hawke’s Bay people can write message of peace and unity.”
The immediate past president of the MCAHB attended a hui in Christchurch in April to listen to victims, emergency services and victim support around the response and has been learnt from the event — positive and negative and how we can be prepared as a community, Sukhdeep says. “As a result MCA has been included in our local emergency development plan.”
■ There will be a potluck lunch prior to the memorial, 83 Tait Drive, Greenmeadows, Saturday, March 14, 12noon-2pm, a chance for the Hawke’s Bay community to meet together with the members of the Muslim community. Bring a dish and a gold coin. The membership fee for the MCAHB is $5. For information phone Sukhdeep Singh on 0220467789.