Christchurch unites for vigil: ‘We are all on one waka’
Aroha and solidarity rang out loud and clear across Christchurch’s Hagley Park as 40,000 people attended a vigil last night to remember those killed in the mosque massacres.
People, sitting on picnic blankets and on chairs, turned to strangers and embraced, others wiped their partner’s tears and women wore headscarfs to show their solidarity.
Speakers stood on a stage meant for the Bryan Adams concert cancelled a week earlier, and in front of them a sea of people sat in absolute silence as the names of the 50 killed were read out by the Linwood mosque imam, Ibrahim Abdul Halim.
The silence continued as the crowd was asked to take a minute to pay their respects to those killed.
Later, the loudest cheer during the 90-minute vigil was reserved for the first responders who were given a standing ovation.
The crowd was asked to turn to each other and hug and people did – even absolute strangers.
University of Canterbury Muslim Students’ Association president Bariz Shah challenged the gunman asking: ‘‘What are you afraid of?’’ With exasperation clear in his voice, he said: ‘‘Are you afraid of diversity? Are you afraid that New Zealand is a country where you can walk down the street and enjoy a meal from the other side of the world.
‘‘We need to overcome this ideology by gaining knowledge.’’
Shah said the outpouring of support and grief following last week’s attack showed him that ‘‘we are all on one waka’’. ‘‘After this tragedy I really see that.’’
But he said New Zealand’s work was not done: ‘‘If we hear any racist remarks . . . we need to say something.’’
Cashmere High School head boy Okirano Tilaia encouraged the crowd to ‘‘unite in love, not hatred’’.
‘‘Instead of staying quiet, let’s speak out and rise above. We can’t go back and change the beginning
. . . but we can change the ending. The only thing stronger than hate is love.’’