London: Vigil to remember Christchurch terrorist attack

On a warm spring-like evening last Thursday hundreds of people congregated in Trafalgar Square to stand in solidarity with New Zealand, remembering the 50 Muslims who were murdered at prayer by a terrorist the previous Friday.

During the Peace Vigil we were welcomed by a message from the Mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel, reminding us that, "what happened last Friday will never define us...what has happened since - the love and outpouring - that's what defines us". The High Commissioner of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae, also welcomed us, reminding us that New Zealand's diversity is its strength. "An attack on one of our communities is an attack on all of us" he said.

Prayers were led by representatives of the three Monotheistic Religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. I was surprised in the Iman's prayer by the similarity of the teaching about eternal life to the Catholic one.

The Muslim call to prayer echoed round the square and the names of the dead were read out, followed by two minutes silence. We then sang the New Zealand National Anthem. We were invited to sing various songs in Mãori before linking hands as a young Muslim woman read a Peace Poem she had composed. Of course, a New Zealand event wouldn't be complete without the Haka.

Kiwis, Brits and others, Muslims, Christians, Jews, people of faith and none, young and not so young, came together both to remember the fallen and injured, but more importantly to show that Love is stronger than Hate.