Kiwi Muslims stand against violence, call for global response

Children joined a large group of Hazara people from Afghanistan, to protest in Aotea Square against violence. Photo / Greg Bowker

About 100 people from the Muslim community have gathered in downtown Auckland to protest against terrorist group Isis.

Both young and old are currently at the Aotea Square calling on world leaders to unite against the group, which in the last day has claimed responsibility of the deadly attacks in Paris, which killed up to 120 people and injuring many others.

Several people - including children - are holding signs.

A little girl holds one which reads: "We stand in solidarity with French - we share your pain."

Another calls on the Afghanistan Government to take more action "before it's too late."

While another says: "We condemn the killings of innocent people in Afghanistan."

One woman told the group Isis had again struck its deadly hand on the people of France.

But many other people around the world - including in Afghanistan - had lost their lives to terrorist actions.

A group of Hazara people from Afghanistan, protest in Aotea Square Auckland after a young family including a mother and daughter were beheaded during an attack in Afghanistan. Photo / Greg Bowker

"Though 120 people have been killed in Paris and the world is shaking right now, but what about the people, the thousands who have been killed [already]? Whoever knows about it?"

The speaker said now was the time for the world's leaders to come together to fight Isis' regime.

"The whole world has one common enemy at the moment - it's Isis. They are one single group! We are a whole world!

"Surely the whole world can defeat one single terrorist group."

The Federation of Islamic Associations and the Human Rights Commission issued a joint statement in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

Federation of Islamic Associations president Hazim Arafeh said: "We stand alongside all innocent victims of terrorism in peace, solidarity and humanity."

He said the federation condemns all terrorist attacks and joins the rest of the world in deep sorrow as we mourn men, women and children murdered by terrorists and extremists.

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy urged New Zealanders to recognise that terrorism has no religion and that Muslim New Zealanders unreservedly and wholeheartedly condemn extremism and violence.

"We urge Kiwis to stand together in humanity," Dame Susan said.

The Islamic Council of New Zealand (ICONZ), representing the Moslem Shia community in New Zealand, has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Paris.

President Dr Abdul Monem Nasser said the world should stand united against ISIS, who are indiscriminately wreaking havoc in many locations, spreading fear and hatred against any one not accepting their distorted and fanatical convictions.

"We announce our solidarity with the victims and their families and friends, and with all peace lovers in the world, and denounce any such criminal atrocities against civilians anywhere and at anytime," Dr Nasser said.