We are all one in God’s eyes regardless of race, colour or religion, says Adi Vara Tuqiri of Makoi, Nasinu.

Ms Tuqiri, who belongs to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was among Fijians who had come to support the Muslim community during a vigil prayer session that was held at Makoi yesterday.

Speaking on the recent Christchurch attacks, Ms Tuqiri said: “I would like to encourage everyone to promote peace and love in the world instead of such violence and hatred.

“I can understand how the victims’ families must be feeling right now and I came here to be with our Muslim brothers and sisters during this time of grief.”

Naziah Ali, the publisher of Mailife Magazine, also urged everyone to reflect on what happened and unite as one to ensure that no other person experienced a fate to that suffered by victims of the Christchurch massacre.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr reading condolence messages from Fijians to the people of Christchurch, NZ, after the opening prayer at Makoi Women’s Vocational Centre on March 17, 2019. Photo: Simione Haravanua

“We need to unite, not only as Muslims or Pacific Islanders, but as humans because this is an attack on humanity,” Ms Ali said.

Members of the diplomatic corps and Members of Parliament with Fijians during the open prayer in moral support for our brothers and sisters who were gunned down at Mosques in Christchurch NZ. The prayer vigil was at Makoi Womens Vocational Centre on March 17,2019. Photo:Simione Haravanua.

She urged everyone to stand together in ensuring that hatred was not bred or promoted in our societies.

“I hope that people also see that no religion promotes hatred and violence and Islam is the same, so I hope that we all see Islam in a different light.

Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at the open prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christchurch NZ at Makoi Womens Vocational Centre on March 17,2019. Photo: Simione Haravanua.

“Being a Muslim, I have encountered many occasions, whether online or in person, where people have labelled Muslims as terrorists just because there may be some organisations around the world that take advantage and use the name of Islam to push for their agenda.

“It is really unfair that we all get lumped together and in this case innocent Muslims, while in the act of prayer, have been attacked and 50 of them have lost their lives.”

Edited by Epineri Vula

Feedback:  neelam.prasad@fijisun.com.fj