Christians and Muslims unite to thank Christchurch agencies for their work after terrorist attack

May 3, 2019

They visited agencies, companies and schools and handed out plaques of appreciation.

On the day news broke of another life lost as a result of the Christchurch terrorist attack, a team of Christian and Muslim charitable volunteers presented agencies, companies and schools in the city with plaques of appreciation for their work in the aftermath of the mosque shootings.

It was a announced today that a Turkish man wounded in the attack seven weeks ago died last night in Christchurch Hospital, raising the death toll to 51.

The idea of travelling the city to present plaques was spearheaded by Auckland Muslim woman Masooma Mehdi and Auckland Anglican clergywoman Reverend Sarah West. The pair spoke together on TVNZ1's Seven Sharp.

Though planned for some time, the plaque gesture was particularly pertinent today, coinciding with the sad news of another death.

"We do feel the sadness and we feel quite solemn as well to hear the sad news. We have also visited the Al Noor Mosque today to visit the other families of the martyrs as well. And we feel that sadness, and of course it brought back the memories of the 15th of March event," Ms Mehdi said.

The volunteers visited a number of places presenting the plaques, starting at the Red Cross headquarters and continuing to Christchurch Hospital, Hagley College, Christchurch City Council and a marae.

Reverend West said they were very well received. 

"It's been a wonderful experience to be together and to share this opportunity to say thank you," she said.

Ms Mehdi said: "The experience has been overwhelming."

Christianity in media recently has not been so positive

—  Reverend Sarah West |

Reverend West said being a combined effort between Muslims and Christians made the presentation of the plaques particularly special.

She says joint activities by the two faiths are happening every day.

"But it's something that it would be great to see more of because the trend of particularly Christianity in media recently has not been so positive," she said.

"And I think that actually there's a lot of really good stuff going on between Muslims and Christians but between all faiths. And as far as I'm concerned it's the only way forward. I think our shared values of love peace and justice are really what unite us and we can work together to journey on."

Masooma Mehdi nodded in agreement as Reverend West spoke.

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