Whanganui Muslim community heartened by strong show of support

A Whanganui Muslim leader says gatherings and gifts of flowers left at the Masjid-E-Bilal mosque have touched his heart. Photo/Bevan Conley

Islamic Association of Whanganui president Mukarram Mairaj said he thought someone had made a hoax social media post when he first heard about the massacres at two Christchurch mosques on Friday.

"My daughter who is studying at Otago University called and told me and I couldn't believe it - I thought it was fake.

"The Muslim community in Whanganui were shocked and scared but after the outpourings of love we have seen from around New Zealand and especially the Whanganui community we are reassured."

He said the many bouquets and messages placed at the Masjid-E-Bilal mosque in Whanganui East are a "beautiful sight."

"We really appreciate that people have gone to this effort and made us all feel like we are really part of the community."

Mairaj spoke at the Race Unity Day in Majestic Square on Saturday and told the gathering that the Christchurch shootings have not tarnished his view of New Zealand as a welcoming place.

On Monday morning he attended the Awa Karakia dawn gathering arranged by Whanganui iwi and said it gave him "a sense of peace."

"The singing was beautiful and although I did not understand the words it made me feel very calm and really touched my heart."

Mairaj praised Jacqueline Brand Holt who organised the Race Unity Day in Majestic Square for going ahead with the gathering and adapting it to acknowledge the tragic events in Christchurch.

"She is a wonderful woman and has done a very good thing in bringing people together that way."

Whanganui people will gather once again to honour the Christchurch victims with a candlelight vigil at the Handspan peace sculpture in Queenspark from 6.30pm on Friday.