AN interfaith gathering will be held at the Labasa Civic Centre on Saturday to remember the lives of the 50 individuals who were killed in the Christchurch massacre on Friday last week.
In a statement yesterday, the members of the Macuata Muslim League have spoken out strongly against the massacre where 50 people were slain by a gunman in two different mosques across Christchurch.
League president Hazeem Hussein has sent out a message to fellow Muslims encouraging them to pray for their slain brothers, their families and portray the true principles of Islam which is love and peace.
Included among those injured during the massacre are three individuals who were members of the Muslim community in Labasa.
Mr Hussein labelled the act as a senseless act of hate, adding they were praying for all those injured and the families of the deceased.
“May those who were injured heal quickly and fully, and may the memories of the victims forever be a blessing.
“We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in Christchurch.
“We are family to them — as we’re all brothers and sisters and we feel the pain they are in.
“However, Islam is a religion whose principles are based on love and peace and this is what we are reciprocating as a community during these trying times.”
Mr Hussein said they had been praying with families of the three Labasa natives, who were at the mosque, to thank God for their lives as they were spared during the massacre, though they were wounded after being shot.
Attempts to get comments from families of the wounded were futile with one family member saying they had close relatives who had flown to Christchurch straight after the incident to be with their loved ones.
The public are more than welcome to attend the service which will be held from 10am to 1pm.
