Thousands of New Zealanders came together on Friday to pay respect to victims of the terror attacks on two mosques in Christchurch a week earlier, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the local imam delivered a message of peace and unity.
An outdoor prayer space had been set up in the Hagley Park across the road from Al Noor Mosque – the scene of the gunman's first attack where the majority of the 50 victims were killed.
The mosque's imam, Gamal Fouda, told the crowd of several thousand that while last Friday he saw hate and rage in the mosque attack, he now saw "love and compassion in the eyes of New Zealanders".
"The terrorist sought to tear us apart with an evil ideology. We have shown him that New Zealand is unbreakable," he said.
"We are broken-hearted but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us."
"The evil ideology of white supremacy did not break our spirits," Mr Fouda told the crowd. The people killed in the attack were not martyrs of Islam, but martyrs "of this nation, New Zealand", he said.
The imam thanked New Zealanders for their love and support and emergency services for their heroic efforts. He also thanked Prime Minister Ardern for her leadership and example.
"You honoured us with a simple scarf," he said of her decision to cover her head when meeting victims and Islamic community leaders during the week.
He then called on governments around the world to "bring an end to hate speech and the politics of fear".
"Terror has no colour, no race and no religion," he said. "The rise of white supremacy must end now."
Earlier, Ms Ardern addressed worshippers at the mosque, and the large number of people who showed up in support, saying: "New Zealand mourns with you, we are one."
More than 30 television news crews covered the prayers, making it one of the most televised events in New Zealand's history.
Among those attending the prayers were survivors of the mosque attacks. Mostafa Abdelmonem, who was shot in his right arm, was full of praise for the support shown by ordinary New Zealanders.
"All this really helps make us feel safe," he said of the large crowd that turned up for the Friday prayers.
Originally from Egypt, Mr Abdelmonem has been in New Zealand for 12 years and works on a dairy farm in North Canterbury.
"We are going to stay here," he said. "Anyone who spreads hate can leave."
Taj Mohammad Kamran, 47, who was shot in the leg during the attack at Al Noor mosque, sat in a wheelchair after being allowed out of hospital to attend the prayers.
"It was a very good message," he said of the service. "Terrorism has no religion."
Originally from Afghanistan, Mr Kamran said he had lived in New Zealand for 12 years.
"I love this country. I have always been very happy here," he said.
Christchurch resident Derryn Whyte, 64, said she attended the prayers to show her solidarity with New Zealand's Muslims.
"I am absolutely devastated," she said. "I had no idea of the amount of racism there is in New Zealand."
She said she had decided to set an example and would not tolerate racism of any kind. "It is a huge turning point for New Zealand," she said. "We will stand up for people. We are all one community."
Pip Watson, 48, came to Hagley Park wearing a headscarf to "show support" for the Muslim community, a gesture made by thousands of women around New Zealand on Friday.
"I want to help reassure [them] that they are safe when praying today," she said.
She criticised elements of New Zealand culture saying many people thought it was OK to make racist remarks to their friends. "We need to call out bullying and racism. It does not serve the community," she said.
"We need to stand up and say, that's not OK."
Muslims from other parts of New Zealand travelled to Christchurch to attend the prayers, including Maaisah Asim, 20, from Auckland.
Ms Asim said she was touched by the actions of Prime Minister Ardern.
"I read that her baby took her first steps today. She wasn't at home to see it. She is here with us," she said. "She is uniting the country. She has shown how much she cares."
The prayers were held a day after Ms Ardern's government announced a ban on "military-style" semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines like the weapons that were used in last Friday's attacks.
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The stories of the victims of the Christchurch mosque attack
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Mucaad Ibrahim, the youngest known victim of the March 15 Mosque shootings in Christchurch. Abdi Ibrahim via AP -
Atta Elayyan. The 33-year-old was a Jordanian citizen of Palestinian descent who was born in Kuwait. He migrated with his family to New Zealand in 1992, where he became a leading IT developer and a goalkeeper for New Zealand’s national futsal team. AFP -
Lilik Abdul Hamid was an Indonesian aircraft maintenance engineer at Air New Zealand. Rex -
Haji Daoud. The Afghan fled to New Zealand to escape the Soviet invasion in 1979. He was the president of a local Afghan association and supported other migrant groups. He is reported to have thrown himself in front of fellow worshipers when the gunman burst in and started shooting. Reuters -
Sayyad Milne. The 14-year-old was a good-natured, kind teenager. EPA -
Amjad Hamid was a doctor who was well liked for his kindness, compassion and sense of humour. Rex -
Syed Janandad Ali, 34, a Pakistani citizen. Rex -
Pakistani citizen Naeem Rashid, who was killed along with and his son Talha Naeem. He will be given a national bravery award, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said, after he appeared to confront the gunman. He was a banker by profession and moved to New Zealand in 2009 to study, local media reported. EPA -
A relative weeps while showing the picture of Sohail Shahid, a Pakistani citizen who was killed in Christchurch mosque shootings. AP Photo -
Osama Adnan Abu Kwaik was born in Gaza, and spent his childhood and teenage years in Egypt. Rex -
A relative shows a picture of Syed Areeb Ahmed, a Pakistani citizen who was killed. AP Photo -
Haroon Mahmood, 41, a Pakistani national, was the assistant academic director of Canterbury College. REX / Shutterstock -
Husne Ara Parvin, 42, was killed when she tried to save her wheelchair-bound paralysed husband Farid Uddin. Rex -
Friends of a missing man Zakaria Bhuiyan hold up photos of him outside a refuge centre in Christchurch. AAP Image via AP -
Farhaj Ahsan was an engineer from India and moved to New Zealand in 2010. REX / Shutterstock -
Sixteen-year-old Hamza Mustafa was an excellent horse rider and aspired to be a veterinarian. AFP -
Hussein Al Umari was killed while running towards the terrorist, as he tried to protect people fleeing the mosque. Courtesy Janna Ezat. -
Tariq Omar played soccer in the summer and was a beloved coach of several youth teams. AP Photo -
Akhtar Khokhur, 58, shows a picture of her husband Mehaboobbhai Khokhar during an interview outside an information centre for families in Christchurch, New Zealand. AP Photo -
A man pedals his bicycle past a poster of Anzi Ali Bhava in Kodungalloor town in the southern state of Kerala, India. Reuters -
Hossein Moustafa had moved with his family to Christchurch 20 years ago from Egypt. AP Photo
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The government implemented an immediate sales ban on Thursday to prevent stockpiling, and new laws would be rushed through parliament that would impose a complete ban on the weapons, Ms Ardern said.
"Every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned," she said.
The gun legislation is supported not only by Ms Ardern's liberal Labour Party but also the conservative opposition National Party, so it is expected to pass into law. New Zealand does not have a constitutional right to bear arms.
Ms Ardern also received a delegation from the UAE, which is visiting the country to convey the condolences of the leadership and people of the Emirates.
