Around 200 people have gathered at the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre for an open interfaith prayer ceremony in remembrance of the 50 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Christchurch.
In attendance is the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, some government Ministers and some members of the diplomatic corp.
Speaking at the interfaith service, Bainimarama challenged Fijians with a powerful message saying they should speak out against racism and be a voice of love.
He then directly addressed the Muslim community in Fiji saying they are safe and loved.
Today across the country, people are also remembering the three Fijians who were killed in the terror attack on Friday.
They have been identified as 58-year-old Ashraf Ali who lives in Omkar in Narere and was visiting his brother in Christchurch, Imam Hafiz Musa Patel of Lautoka Jame Masjid and another, Ashraf Ali who moved to New Zealand years ago.
They were shot and killed during the attack which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern has confirmed left 50 people dead and 50 people injured.
Mosques in the country are holding special prayer sessions or dua’s today.
In Lautoka, a dua-e-maghfirat for the victims of the Christchurch attack will be held at the Lautoka Jame Masjid at 7pm today.
The Dua-e-Maghfirat is a special prayer for forgiveness.
Fiji PM Voreqe Bainimarama and NZ High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr at the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre for an open interfaith prayer ceremony in remembrance of the 50 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Christchurch
They will also be remembering Imam Hafiz Musa Patel of Lautoka Jame Masjid.
Head Pesh Imam, Qari Umar Faruk Madani says that before leaving Fiji three weeks ago, Haji Hafiz Musa Patel told him that we always have to stand united and that humanity is the first lesson.
Maulana Madani says that this is the message that he will take forward and will honour for the rest of his life.
He says he knew Hafiz Patel for the past 2 and a half years and one thing that he saw was that Hafiz Patel would interact with people of all races, all religions and backgrounds.
Also, the Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji says for the well-being of the victims and families of the Christchurch attack they held a dua or special prayer ceremony at the Maururu Mosque in Ba.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Faizal Koya says about 50 people took part in the special prayer ceremony.
All mosques around the country have been called upon by the Fiji Muslim League to hold special prayers for all the victims of the Christchurch shooting.
National President, Hafizud Dean Khan is also requesting all Fijians to join them in praying for all the families and friends in New Zealand who have suffered through this senseless act of terrorism.
Khan says their thoughts and prayers are with all the members of the Muslim community in NZ.
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