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Hundreds of people from the local Indian community, as well as other New Zealanders, are expected to gather tonight in Auckland to remember those who died in the Mumbai attacks.
The attack on Mumbai killed some 180 people and wounded more than 280 as a group of militants targeted hotels, train stations and other areas in India's financial capital.
Mohammed Rashid, a Muslim student originally from Malaysia, said he would be attending tonight's memorial to show that Muslims too were horrified by the attacks, which were blamed on Islamic militants.
"Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam, and everyone got hurt in the attack, even Muslims," Mr Mohammed said.
Last week's terror strike showed that terror had no religion and cut across ethnicities, as the casualty list showed that Muslims had been victims of the attacks as much as other communities, he said.
The lone gunman captured alive gave a Muslim name, and said during interrogation that he was from Faridkot, Pakistan - and the identity of the attackers has raised concerns of fresh communal tensions which saw large-scale rioting in 1993 following a wave of terror blasts.
But this time, the awareness that Muslims have been victims has tempered anger towards the followers of Islam in the city of 18 million.
Immigrant Raj Mohendran, who is from India's southern state of Kerala, said the Mumbai attacks came as a "total shock" for him and many local Indians here.
"I moved to New Zealand in the year when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, and I never would have imagined then that the same thing could happen in my home country eight years later."
Harshd Patel, president of the Auckland Indian Association, said there was gloom in the local Indian community.
"Many are only just recovering from the shock, but that has turned to a feeling of grief."
Mr Patel said there were "a couple" in New Zealand whose family members had been killed in the attacks.
People attending the memorial service, to be held at the Mahatma Ghandi Centre tonight at 7.30, will be asked to light a candle to remember the dead, and pray for peace in India, Mr Patel said.
"We will also be singing national songs to show our solidarity with our mother country."
Meanwhile, Vaib Gangan, the managing editor of Global India, an Auckland-based magazine, is calling for people to wear white tomorrow, to express solidarity and to pay tribute to the Mumbai victims.
"The attack is not just on Mumbai or India, it is a global problem, this can happen in any major city in the world. Terror has no face or religion," Mr Gangan said.
In the terror attack that has been described as India's 9/11, up to 20 police officers were killed fighting the terrorists as hundreds were taken hostage.
Mr Gangan said wearing white, symbolising peace, would be a tribute to the many security officers, hotel staff and other courageous people who lost their lives in saving others.
Many in the 120,000-strong Indian community in New Zealand have called for action and posted condolence messages on various websites.
