United in love
Keep uniting in love, and drown the hate that spurred last Friday’s terrorist acts, a Muslim leader in Nelson has urged.
Hundreds of Nelsonians joined hands in a service to remember the 50 people who died at the hands of a gunman in Christchurch.
More than 2000 people gathered in Nelson’s Hardy St yesterday afternoon to mark two minutes of silence to honour the Muslim victims, who were shot as they prayed at Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch the week before.
Addressing the crowd from outside Old St John’s, Nelson Mosque Imam Moayid Sherif said the Muslim community appreciated the love and support they had experienced over the past week.
‘‘Here in Nelson the solidarity is crystal clear.’’
Gestures of kindness from strangers had filled him with gratitude, he said. He spoke of a man who he met outside the mosque earlier in the week.
‘‘He had driven from Westport to stand outside and look after us as we are praying inside.
‘‘I was speechless.’’
He urged Nelsonians to continue to unite in love.
‘‘The act was an affront to our core values as Kiwis, of freedom of religion and respect for all cultures and zero tolerance for violence.
‘‘We are all Kiwis. We need to stand strong together, in love and support.’’ He finished his speech by reading the names of the people who died.
Multicultural Nelson Tasman chair Luz Zuniga said the victims of last Friday would be remembered as our own. ‘‘They will walk among us forever as our own ancestors do.’’
She felt proud of the way the community had come together, especially the youth in our community and around the country.
‘‘The young people ... are taking leadership and showing us where and how this light is shining now.’’
After joining hands for two minutes of silence, the crowd sung the national anthem in te reo and English.