Vigil sends message of aroha

As Nelsonians gathered in the wake of the Christchurch terror attacks, two young women took the pavement to convey their love and support for the Muslim community.

Sophie Weenink, 13 and Maya Weimans, 12, spent several hours drawing welcoming messages on the pavement outside Queens Gardens, ahead of the Muslim prayer service yesterday.

In between colourful hearts, peace symbols and stick figures holding hands, were the words, ‘‘Muslim friends, we love you’’.

Both said the shootings in Christchurch had been ‘‘really upsetting’’.

‘‘In the world there are not many people that are happy at the moment, but we are trying to support everyone and help them feel welcome and appreciated,’’ Weenink said.

The girls handed out crayons to anyone else who wanted to leave a message, and a few hugs to people who were upset too.

Thousands gathered for a vigil at the Church Steps at noon, to show support for Christchurch.

Many of the women who attended were wearing headscarves as a mark of respect and solidarity.

Signs held by people in the crowd read, ‘‘Unity in diversity’’ and ‘‘The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens’’.

Several people addressed the crowd, including Aqeela Mowjood, who spoke of how she had grown up in Nelson after her parents migrated to New Zealand from Sri Lanka when she was three years old.

As part of her Muslim faith, Mowjood said she made the decision to start wearing a headscarf 11 years ago.

‘‘It was a private act of worship but I was determined to continue my participation in public life.

But since the terror attacks in Christchurch, she had felt fear over her Muslim identity.

‘‘Would I be a target of hate crime wearing this scarf? Will I be considered less of a Kiwi because I wear it?’’

Seeing so many woman wearing headscarves alongside her on Sunday had taken away that fear.

‘‘I feel reassurance that I, along with my Muslim sisters, veiled or not, we feel welcomed and accepted here. Thank you so much for giving me the confidence that I can continue to be my genuine Kiwi Muslim self.’’

The public outpouring of support had also given Mowjood renewed faith that her son would grow up in a country where his identity would be celebrated.

‘‘Let this be an opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims to show grace, mercy and compassion to each other,’’ she said.

Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese said the event was a chance to mark the loss of ‘‘50 beautiful lives’’.

‘‘It is through being together that we can share this grief and turn the corner, which we will, and we will start the march and the journey back to New Zealand being a peaceful nation, known for its peace and unity and its welcoming of cultures.

‘‘We are all immigrants here, every one of us, but together we stand in solidarity and remembrance.’’

A special service for the victims of Christchurch would be held at the Nelson Mosque, behind Old St John’s at of 320 Hardy St, this Friday March 22 from 12.30pm.