Shimul Islam said it was a day to remember loss, but also a day to remember how communities came together. Photo / Paul Taylor
Shimul Islam said it was a day to remember loss, but also a day to remember how communities came together. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay's diverse culture is set to be celebrated at two events set up to remember those killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings.
A gathering of speakers, food vendors and members of the public will descend of Cornwall Park, Hastings, in the region's inaugural commemoration on Sunday, March 15.
Hawke'sBay Baitul Mokarram Masjid and Islamic Centre Trust working committee member Shimul Islam said Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, along with other local personalities, are expected to give speeches, while food from across the globe will be on offer.
"Along with speakers, there will be food stalls so people can try all different ethnic foods," he said. "There will Malaysian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Turkish food and more on offer.
"The mayor will be one of the keynote speakers, along with a speaker from the Multicultural Association and others, followed by a smaller open-mic session at the end of the speeches."
Islam added: "It doesn't have to be a day where you only remember the losses - also remember how the communities came together. We thought it'd be good to showcase how diverse our community here in Hawke's Bay is."
The event will be held in Cornwall Park between 11am and 2pm on Sunday March 15, with the Hastings-based mosque anticipating over 300 people from the local communities will be in attendance.
A total of 51 people were killed during the attack at two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019.
The alleged gunman is expected to stand trial in June.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said the public must stand with those who feel marginalised in our society. Photo / Paul Taylor
Prior to the year anniversary, the Hawke's Bay Multicultural Association will hold a memorial service at Napier Soundshell on Saturday evening (March 14).
The March Memorial, which will take place from 5pm to 6.30pm, will aim to commemorate and remember the victims.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said the memorial service is an opportunity to "commemorate and remember" the victims of the terror attack.
"The message of 'We Stand Together, We are One' is vital and demonstrates that as a community we are united against intolerance and standing in solidarity with those who were affected by this tragic event," she said.
"We remember those who died a year ago. We remember their friends, colleagues and families, both here and overseas, for whom this tragedy will always be significant.
Wise added: "As a nation, we have proven to the world that we are strong, we are resilient and we will not stand for hatred against any group, in any form. We stand with them and others who might feel marginalised in our society."
Islam said the events are not only to remember those who lost their lives, but also to celebrate the multiculturalism within the region.
"Our main objective was not only to obviously remember that day, but we want to show unity," he said.
"We thought a good way to demonstrate that level of diversity would be through a range of different food stalls and a range of different people will be speaking."
