By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A spontaneous vigil standing for “peace and solidarity” in the wake of the Christchurch massacres was staged at Harmony Square, Dandenong.
On Saturday 16 March – one day after the terror – the crowd gathered around a heart-shape of candles with the word NZ (for New Zealand) in the middle.
Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams and cleric Syed Abdul Qasim Rizvi spoke before a quickly-organised crowd of about 200.
Among the gatherers were representatives of mosques in Dandenong, Doveton, Hallam and Narre Warren, as well as members of Buddhist and Christian faiths and councillors Tim Dark and Jim Memeti.
Ms Williams told Star News that the “abhorrent” events in Christchurch were an “act of terrorism” and “blind hatred”.
She commended local Muslim community and its leadership for opening their doors to the public.
“It would not have been unreasonable for Muslims to retreat, and for mosques to close their doors to outsiders. But they didn’t.
“Instead, our Muslim leaders gathered our community together in vigil, and they opened mosque doors to the public.”
Cr Blades and Ms Williams joined Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards and Casey councillor Wayne Smith in support at the Albanian Islamic Centre in Dandenong on a statewide mosque open day on 17 March.
Ms Williams said she, like thousands of Victorians, were received with warmth and kindness during the event.
“To our Muslim brothers and sisters, this is the time to show those who seek to divide us that we are immune to their prejudice, their hate and their fear; that our shared humanity rises above it.”
Marking Cultural Diversity Week, Cr Blades later spoke of Greater Dandenong’s 157 nationalities as well as the vigil held after the “terrible incidents” in Christchurch.
“Many people attended where we spoke about solidarity and extended our sympathy and condolences to our friends in New Zealand.
“We stand in solidarity with all of the different faiths and all of the different communities that we look after in the City of Greater Dandenong.”
Cr Blades observed that many residents had visited a mosque for the first time since the Christchurch events.
“I think that it was very heartwarming, a very positive experience for them.”
Cr Blades has written letters of sympathy to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel.
A minute’s silence will be held for Christchurch victims at Greater Dandenong’s council meeting on 25 March.
Vigil organiser and social worker Saied Rezawi said he’d aimed to quickly gather together the South East communities and faiths in “solidarity, peace and love”.
Among the attendees waving Australian flags and holding candles were those mourning their uncle killed during the Christchurch shootings.
“Australia is a peaceful country.
“We don’t want this to happen here, in the name of religion.
“I’d say we are just Australians – that’s what I pride myself on.”
A vigil organised by Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network was also set to be staged at Harmony Square on Harmony Day, Thursday 21 March, 6pm.
