Tongans living in New Zealand have been asked to wear black this week as a sign of support for the country’s Muslim community.
One News reported last evening that Tongan community leaders have also asked Tongans to meet in Aotea Square this Sunday at 2pm for a Love Aotearoa Hate Racism hui.
Kaniva News reports Tongan church groups have been holding special prayer sessions for the cessation of terrorism.
On Sunday the brass band from the Pulela’a Methodist Church in New Lynn played outside an Auckland mosque. Church members prayed and laid flowers.
Religious communities throughout New Zealand have responded with similar support.
Commissioner Andy Westrupp, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa condemned what he called “an unprecedented act of violence in Christchurch towards people who were peacefully at worship”
“The horror of these attacks reminds us of our shared humanity and the urgent need to stand for love and peace. Everyone will do that in their own way, but regardless of religious belief, caring is a response that we can all share.”
New Zealand’s Catholics bishops have expressed their solidarity with the country’s Muslim community after mass shootings at two mosques killed nearly 50 people on Friday morning.
In a statement, the heads of New Zealand’s six Catholic dioceses said they wished the Muslim community to “be aware of our solidarity with you in the face of such violence.”
Friday’s massacre has touched some Tongans in personal ways.
In Lower Hutt, Tongan mother Pesi Vaioleti said she was heart broken to see the events in Christchurch.
She said the hatred was affecting the country’s children.
Her son attends a Muslim kindergarten next to the town’s mosque, which has been closed on police advice.
Vaioleti is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, but said she wanted her son to accept all cultures and religions.
Photo Facebook/Rose Wolfgramm