Rather than Remembrance services, this year the Muslim community decided to mark the occasion differently.

Whanau Trust spokesman Rashid Bin Omar said Islamic Awareness Week aimed to spread peace, unity and love as opposed to the attacker's aim to spread hate.

"The terrorist utterly failed.

"Three years later, here we are standing in the same mosque to honour the shuhaha (deceased), continue their legacy and remember the aroha and empathy that we received from the entire [country]."

The week marking the terror attack anniversary includes an Islamic art exhibition, speakers, children's events, peace walks and feeding the hungry.

In a speech launching Islamic Awareness Week at the weekend, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel reminded attendees of the Call to Prayer one week after the attack, when thousands in the wider community came, uninvited, to show their support.

"It was the most powerful expression of solidarity I have ever witnessed."

Dalziel said she hoped Islamic Awareness Week and Unity Week would become permanent fixtures on the Christchurch calendar.

Injured victim Hisham Al Zarzour - who still suffers pain from his hand injuries suffered that day at An Nur Masjid - supported the awareness week.

"It would give more open thinking. It's a good way to stay together. When you don't know about [Islam], there's sometimes not good ideas."

Al Zarzour was still haunted by that day, and he tried not to remember.

"We can remember the people, but for me to remember the 15th of March day....I live with the memories in my dreams almost every night.

"Because of that, I try to avoid thinking of the bad things, but the good things in my head and try to see the positive things happening."

On March 15, 2019, self-proclaimed white supremacist Brenton Tarrant killed 51 Muslim people and injured dozens more at two Christchurch mosques.

The time since then has seen the exchanging of numerous community initiatives showing support and solidarity.

Source

• Stuff
• Image: IQNA

Since the Christchurch terror attack, thousands have taken Qurans or other literature.

Imam Nizamul Haq Thanvi of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand said immediately after the attack, three to five people a day had converted at a Wellington mosque.

Thanvi said that all sorts are coming.

"Pakeha, Maori, former Christians, even one Hindu," he said.

From a family of Islamic scholars who live all over the world, the Imam said none of them has ever seen anything like it.

In Manawatu, they are setting up a database to better support new converts.

In Otago, they ran out of materials at a recent open day and are planning another.

In Auckland, mosques have also reported more visitors.

Canterbury resident 22-year-old Megan Lovelady felt called to Islam and converted to become Muslim after the Christchurch mosque attacks.

At Hagley Park for Friday prayers along with thousands of others still reeling from the attacks, the Imam's prayers deeply moved Megan.

"It was rhythmic and it made me feel inside," said Megan. "I wanted to join in to do the movements but I didn't know how - so I just stood there and I cried."

On reflection, Megan said it feels like she's always been a Muslim.

Since her conversion, she has been visiting the mosque every day, reading the Quran and other Islamic literature as well as spending time with other Muslims learning about the practices of her new faith.

"I actually feel more at home and more a part of a community than I ever have in my life," she said. "Allah was calling me home."

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz Janneth Gil

The Jewish community has asked that some of the donated money is used for interfaith activities to foster a greater connection between the Jewish and Muslim communities.

"Our faith has a shared Abrahamic tradition and Jews and Muslims have both suffered persecution and racism historically, and unfortunately still do today,'' says Stephen Goodman of the New Zealand Jewish Council.

"The Jewish community, both in New Zealand and overseas, wanted the victims of the mosque attacks to know that we see them, we empathise with them, and we support them.''

A great proportion of the money donated was raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh in the United States of America, who lost 11 members of their community in a deadly synagogue shooting in October last year.

The New South Wales Jewish community also donated money, along with the American Jewish Committee and the New Zealand Jewish community.

The money has been pooled together to form the Abrahamic Fund.

It will be used mainly for counselling and support services, medical treatment, financial planning services, education and vocational training for the victims of the mosque shootings and their families.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Christchurch massacre and we extend our hand in friendship in calling for an end to racism, an end to anti-semitism, an end of Islamophobia, and an end to bigotry in all its forms,'' said visiting New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies Chief Executive Vic Alhadeff.

Ibrar Sheikh, from the Federation of the Islamic Associations NZ (FIANZ), says the Muslim community is very grateful for the support shown by the global Jewish community.

Source

ccc.govt.nz

rnz.co.nz

Image: Screenshot: tvnz.co.nz

"We are unable to express the confusion and pain we feel.

"Our grief threatens to overwhelm our community at the tragic loss of our sisters and brothers and the act of hate that has been inflicted," Martin said at a memorial Mass on Saturday.

"We know that our loving God has not caused this pain, but the freedom God gives us as a mark of his great love has been tragically misused and abused," the bishop said.

"We gather here this morning because we are at a loss about what to do or what to say. I know that many of you have already reached out to members of the Muslim community in your neighbourhoods and workplaces. Your acts of love are already overpowering the hate," he said.

Three and a half hours after the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch last Friday, New Zealand's six Catholic bishops had issued a statement expressing their solidarity with New Zealand's Muslim community.

Their message reads:

"Dear Members of the Muslim community in Aotearoa New Zealand,

"We hold you in prayer as we hear the terrible news of violence against Muslims at mosques in Christchurch.

"We are profoundly aware of the positive relationships we have with Islamic people in this land, and we are particularly horrified that this has happened at a place and time of prayer.

"We are deeply saddened that people have been killed and injured, and our hearts go out to them, their families and wider community.

"We wish you to be aware of our solidarity with you in the face of such violence."

The bishops signed their letter "Peace, Salaam,"

An ecumenical grouping of churches comprising Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, Salvation Army, Catholic and independent churches, the Christchurch Inner-City Christian Ministers' Association, wrote to the city's Muslim community saying:

"In the face of today's horrific shooting, the combined inner-city Christian ministers and their congregations wish to extend our love to the wider Muslim Community of Christchurch and assure them of our friendship and support at this time of great loss.

"Be assured of our continuing prayers as our joint city community and people struggle to understand what has happened in the wake of this unconscionable act.

"As members of two faith traditions, born out of a shared Abrahamic inheritance, we stand in solidarity with you, looking and crying to God, the source of all."

A message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, on behalf of Pope Francis, said the pope was "deeply saddened to learn of the injury and loss of life caused by the senseless acts of violence" at the mosques.

"He assures all New Zealanders, and in particular the Muslim community, of his heartfelt solidarity in the wake of these attacks." He also offered prayers and blessings to those injured, those grieving, those who died and emergency personnel involved.

Source

• cruxnow.com
• stuff.co.nz
• Supplied: Amanda Gregan. Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• facebook.com
• twitter.com
• cruxnow.com
• catholic.org.nz
• cny.org
• christiantoday.com
• Image: stuff.co.nz