Christchurch attacks: 'We must never let this happen again', Hawke's Bay gathering told

Hundreds of residents gathered by the Hastings clock tower in support of the Hawke's Bay Muslim community. Photo / Supplied

A gathering organised by the Hawke's Bay Muslim community on Sunday evening emphasised the new hope that has sprung up since the Christchurch attacks on March 15.

More than 100 people gathered at the clock tower in Hastings including political and spiritual leaders who were based across the region.

Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst addressed the crowd and said Hawke's Bay along with the rest of the country were still mourning the loss of the 50 lives lost in Christchurch.

"We'll never forget the senseless loss of lives, the hurt, the injury and the fear our Muslim community has suffered - we must never let this happen again.

"While we continue to heal together as a nation we also have a job to do in Hastings - to keep our community safe - to make sure our mosque can be returned to as a place of safety, a place of prayer, a place of solace and a place to heal together.

"As New Zealanders we are one people, we are unique, we are inclusive, we are very proud to be one people and we're very proud of our vibrant mix of cultures."

President of the Hawke's Bay Baitul Mokarram Masjid and Islamic Society Sayeed Ahmed spoke to the crowd, saying he was both proud and overwhelmed with New Zealand's kindness, acceptance and freedom of cultures and religions.

"Terrorism belongs to no faith, it has no face. You have started something new in New Zealand. You have changed the world, you have made us proud.

"The people who died in Christchurch are still alive within us, they are in our hearts and they are awaiting paradise," he said.

Student Shimul Islam once again emphasised the message that has been internationally received across the world.

"We are one race, I am a person, I have feelings. I feel happiness and sadness, just like everyone else and this tragic event is something we are recovering from and it will take a long time."

Reverend Keith Rowe noted that residents had taken "beautiful words" out of mosques and churches, using them in the streets and homes.

"Words like love, compassion, aroha, Salem - these words have become a common language in Hastings and throughout New Zealand.

"On March 15 we saw the face of evil and since then we've wept together, we've held each other in love and we've glimpsed what we might become as a nation and a as a community. Together we have stared down the potential of evil to divide us, together by the use of those words and others that there is a better way and that we are determined to live within that pathway."