Nelson vigil: A woman from the Muslim community gives moving speech

March 17, 2019

Trafalgar Square in Nelson was packed with people at a lunchtime vigil for victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks.

A woman from the Muslim community in Nelson gave a moving speech today at a vigil to remember those affected by the attack on two Christchurch mosques on Friday.

Fifty people were killed when a gunman shot worshippers in a terrorist attack at the mosques. Another 50 people were injured.

A packed Trafalgar Square in Nelson was the setting for a lunchtime vigil as people turned out in their hundreds to honour those who lost their lives in the horrific Christchurch shootings.

Nelson Muslim community member Aqeela Mowjood said she felt comfort from her Kiwi sisters who supported the wearing of headscarves.

"Would I be a target of hate crime because of this scarf?” she asked.

“Fortunately, when I see my Kiwi sisters wearing their headscarves, my fear dissolves."

Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese also spoke, also dressed in a black headscarf.

“This is a country that celebrates peace, we are a country of peacemakers,” she said.

“Through a horrendous incident in Christchurch we have lost that face to the world, for the moment,” she said.

“We will start the march on the journey back to New Zealand being a peaceful nation known for its peace and its unity and its welcoming of cultures from all around the globe to our shores," said Mayor Reese.

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