Thousands of people across the globe came together to take part in vigils to pay tribute to the victims of the New Zealand terror attack.
Tributes in places such as London, Helsinki and Brussels lead the way with moving services where mourners gathered to pay their respects to the 49 worshippers who were killed at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Masjid Mosque on Friday.
As the police cordon was lifted at 5.00pm local time mourners brought floral tributes closer to the Christchurch mosques which are just 5km apart and where 49 worshippers lost their lives after the shooting.
At the site of the killings there was a fierce determination to show kindness to a community in pain as Brenton Tarrant, the 28-year-old Australian supremacist accused of carrying out the attack, stood silently by a judge.
Those who brought floral tributes brought them closer to the sight of the shootings after the police cordon was lifted at 5.00pm local time
Bouquets of flowers, tributes and notes were gathered by those paying their respects and brought closer to the mosques to allow a vigil to be set up after the police cordon was lifted
Floral tributes were laid to honour the dead with mourners carrying signs that said ‘this is not NZ’ echoing Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, who said: ‘These are people who I would describe as having extremist views that have absolutely no place in New Zealand and, in fact, have no place in the world’
Thousands of people descended on the New Zealand city of Christchurch to pay their respects to those who lost their lives following the shooting
Pictures and notes left at the scene all reflect a message of love and community as one note reads: ‘You are my friends. I will keep watch while you pray’
While vigils took place last night a remembrance service is planned for Monday to mourn those who lost their lives
In London’s Hyde Park, flowers and candles were laid as night fell on the peaceful gathering at the New Zealand memorial.
This is while a vigil was also held at Finsbury Park where supporters held signs which read ‘Solidarity with Christchurch – say no to Islamophobia’. While others held plaques which read ‘Unite against the far fight’.
In Brussels people gathered outside the New Zealander embassy where they penned heartfelt messages on a long sheet of paper, as well as lighting candles.
People lay flowers at the vigil at the New Zealand memorial on Hyde Park Corner this evening – as events continue to take place all over the world
The Eiffel Tower in the French city of Paris switched out its lights on Friday evening in tribute to those killed in New Zealand
The ‘Finlandia Hall’ congress and event venue in the centre of Helsinki is illuminated in dark blue lights to pay tribute and commemorate the victims of the New Zealand terror attack
In Toronto a woman stands with a lit candle while others around her hold signs that ready ‘United Against Islamophobia’
People of all faiths hold a vigil in Finsbury Park for the victims of the New Zealand mosque shootings
People write messages on a sheet of paper during a gathering at the New Zealander Embassy in Brussels this evening
In Helsinki the ‘Finlandia Hall’ congress and event venue in the centre of the city was illuminated in dark blue lights.
The organiser of thee Hyde Park vigil, Zaharan Sofi, said she spent Friday, her 30th birthday, feeling ‘very emotional’, at the event which was set up to bring those affected by the tragedy together.
Ms Sofi, a corporate accountant of Brixton, south London, said: ‘I am a British Muslim and I wanted to make sure that people come together.
People looked solemn as they gathered at Hyde Park to pay their respects to those who had died in the attack in New Zealand
People held up anti Islamophobia signs
People gather at a vigil for Christchurch shootings victims at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney, Australia. Brenton Tarrant opened fire on over 100 defenseless worshipers on Friday
‘It is a very important time to bring people together and not to try and divide.
‘Bringing people together is how you deal with terrorism. In this sensitive time and in our society, it is important that we all know we are human beings first.’
The event was aimed at showing solidarity and to provide comfort after the horror of the Christchurch shootings in which at least 49 people were killed at two New Zealand mosques.
A minute’s-silence and traditional Moari music were part of the moments of reflection.
Hundreds of people, of nationalities including British-based New Zealanders, attended and stood in respectful silence.
New Zealand couple Blair Godby, 25, originally of Invercargill, and Amy Louise Mill, 24, originally of Nelson, both said that waking up to hear that terror had struck their homeland was a ‘shock’.
Mr Godby said: ‘It is just hurtful and just plain shocking.
‘New Zealand is very small, and now so far away.
‘I have always taken such pride in these sorts of things not happening.
A man in Brussels leans down and pens a tribute to the victims at the site near the New Zealander Embassy, where white roses had also been left
‘It feels like a betrayal.
‘Coming here and knowing that we are around New Zealanders brings a feeling that we are together and can send some if that support back to the communities at home.’
Ms Mill, who said she had always felt New Zealand was ‘a safe haven’, added: ‘Being here makes you feel a little connected to you community in a way.
‘It is a little thing we can do to help acknowledge the 49 people who were murdered and the communities who are mourning them.’