A thank you NZ banner draped across Hamilton's Jamia Masjid mosque. Photo / Tom Rowland
A thank you NZ banner draped across Hamilton's Jamia Masjid mosque. Photo / Tom Rowland
"Let's call out racism," was the message as Hamiltonians joined the city's Muslim community in prayer time today to mark a week since the Christchurch mosques shootings.
School students, members of the Mongrel Mob, the Red Cross and many other organisations and people joined Hamilton's Muslim community at Jamia Masjid [mosque] for a two minute silence, which was observed nationally.
Flowers and messages were brought to Claudelands Park, as well as the Muslim community sending a message back to New Zealand draping a sign across the front of the mosque which read "Thank you NZ."
Members of the Waikato Mongrel Mob performing an emotional haka outside the mosque. Photo / Natalie Akoorie
"We stand with you, together for change", read a banner brought to the mosque by a contingent of St Paul's Collegiate School students.
A giant table, filled with food and water, was placed outside the mosque, with members of the congregation offering every person that passed by something to drink.
Some stood with signs in Arabic that read: "Peace be with you." Others made signs that said "We love Muslims" and people held flowers.
"We have a weapon. A weapon of mass reconciliation. And we have each other," said a Muslim speaker after the two minutes silence.
"As you know, our brothers and sisters in Christchurch were subjected to a hateful and henious act," the man said over a loud speaker broadcast to the hundreds gathered for the call to prayer.
"As we gather today our hearts are torn. We are all hurt. We feel a deep sense of loss and right now it feels unshakable. It feels overwhelming and all encompassing."
He went on to say that today was a time to reflect on what had happened, and how New Zealanders can learn from the terrible events of last week.
As prayers finished inside the mosque, eight Muslim women who brought their children outside to pray, stood up and hugged those nearby, thanking them for their support and love.
Afterward, led by the Mongrel Mob - who had set-up a gazebo outside the mosque - there was an emotional haka, showing the gang's support for the community.
The haka was cheered and celebrated as young Muslim men and boys jostled to have selfies with members of the gang, shake hands and hongi.
Waikato president Sonny Fatu said the gang attended the afternoon prayers to show respect for Islamic community, because the gang had a duty to the Muslim community and to help police maintain order.
Waikato Muslim Association's Shahid Khan said members of the Mongrel Mob asked last Saturday for permission to attend today's prayers.
"I think we have to accept them because they are as good and as bad as anyone in our community."
Part of the crowd at Civic Square in Hamilton on Friday observing two minutes of silence. Photo / Peter Tiffany
Khan said before the event began that with six police present, and Armed Offenders Squad members, he had no safety concerns for today's afternoon prayers.
But he said it would be emotional.
"I've seen people crying here. It's an unending stream of people coming.
"Within an hour (of the shooting) a woman came with flowers and asked if she could write something.
"People have been very inclusive. This kind of unity, strength and love will defeat this and all violence."
Labour MP in Hamilton Jamie Strange, who estimated a crowd of 2000 at the prayer session, said the challenge now was to keep the momentum of unity going forward.
At Civic Square, outside the Hamilton City Council Municipal Building, a crowd of more than 500 people - mostly workers from nearby offices and shops - gathered for the two minutes silence.
A member of the city council staff announced the commencement of the silence and people stood with their heads bowed.
Several of the women present were wearing head scarves as a further sign of support.
These included two Odyssey workers who were in Hamilton for the day, Fiona Trevelyan and River Paton, who said they were there to show respect to the Christchurch victims.
Fiona Trevelyan (left) and River Paton who donned head scarves to take part in the two minutes of silence at Civic Square in Hamilton on Friday. Photo / Peter Tiffany
"It is a tragedy that has touched us all and this is just a small way to extend some compassion and reverence to people who have experienced a huge loss," Fiona said.
"It is a very small symbol of our respect and aroha," River said.
