Waikato Muslims in deep shock
As prayers finished yesterday afternoon, a Waikato Muslim leader noticed a missed call from police.
The news was bad: there were shootings at Christchurch mosques and details were still coming in.
Police have since confirmed ‘‘a number of fatalities’’ and one person was in custody – though there might be other offenders.
Mosques across the country were urged to shut their doors.
‘‘I never expected this to happen in New Zealand,’’ Waikato Muslim Association president, Dr Asad Mohsin, said.
‘‘Knowing what sort of characteristics we have as a nation, we didn’t expect that. Having said that, we had to be prepared for it.’’
Copycat behaviour is now a concern for the mosque and police, Mohsin said.
Armed police surrounded the locked up mosque on Heaphy Terrace yesterday afternoon. But they didn’t stop people arriving with bouquets of flowers and handwritten notes, stopping to embrace the association’s leaders.
A woman perched on the footpath with a basketful f chalk, etching colourful messages and drawings onto the concrete.
‘‘You are so precious,’’ one message said, ‘‘You are our brothers and sisters,’’ said another.
A visibly upset woman, who asked not to be named, arrived at the mosque with her father.
A family friend in Christchurch had been killed, she said tearfully.
‘‘I’m not feeling well,’’ she said, watching flowers being placed outside the mosque. ‘‘But I know there are still good people in the world,’’
People tooted their car horns and hollered their support as they passed the building in rush hour traffic.
And a sombre looking Hamilton Mayor Andrew King arrived at the Waikato Muslim Association in his mayoral robes at 4pm.
It was heartening to see the support of the wider community, Mohsin said.
‘‘We see a reflection of these people when they write messages on the footpath, when they put flowers here, how loving people are.’’
Friday afternoon is an important prayer time for Muslim communities, he said, and there will have been gatherings in major mosques around New Zealand.
During Waikato’s prayers, a community sergeant rang to tell him about the Christchurch attack and to check in.
‘‘It has affected us emotionally,’’ Mohsin said. ‘‘I am shocked, I am saddened, I am concerned.’’
Yesterday prayers at the Hamilton mosque attracted about 350 people, and Mohsin spent about an hour speaking to the local community following news of the Christchurch attacks.
His advice was to stay patient and calm.
‘‘We all have to work towards keeping the country safe.’’
The Waikato Muslim Association wants the attacks to be a one-off, but is being vigilant and will discuss whether any changes are needed at an upcoming committee meeting.
‘‘We will be prepared to do anything that will help the reassurance to the community,’’ he said.
Police were sent to the Waikato mosque to help reassure the local community, Senior Sergeant Simon Cherry said.
At 4pm, Police Commissioner Mike Bush urged all Kiwi mosques to close their doors, and advised people not to visit until further notice.
Waikato District Health Board had not been approached to send specialists to help Christchurch, but trauma specialist Dr Grant Christey was standing by just in case.