An open inter-faith prayer ceremony in remembrance of the 50 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Christchurch is being held this afternoon at the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre.
The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has invited Fijians to attend the event which starts at 4pm and show their support to those affected.
In mosques in other parts of the country, special prayer sessions or dua’s are being held.
The Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji says for the well-being of the victims and families of the Christchurch attack they will be holding a dua ceremony or special prayer ceremony at the Maururu Mosque in Ba.
All mosques around the country have been called upon by the Fiji Muslim League to hold special prayers for all the victims of the Christchurch shooting.
National President, Hafizud Dean Khan is also requesting all Fijians to join them in praying for all the families and friends in New Zealand who have suffered through this senseless act of terrorism.
Khan says their thoughts and prayers are with all the members of the Muslim community in NZ.
Three Fijians were killed in the terror attack on Friday.
They have been identified as 58-year-old Asraf Ali who lives in Omkar in Narere and was visiting his brother in Christchurch, Imam Hafiz Musa Patel of Lautoka Jame Masjid and another, Ashraf Ali who moved to New Zealand years ago.
They were shot and killed during the attack which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern has confirmed left 50 people dead and 50 people injured.
Ardern told media today victims' bodies were being returned to families starting tonight, a process that would be completed by Wednesday.
Victim identification staff had been flown in from Australia to speed up the process.
The suspect has been identified Brenton Harrison Tarrant, appeared in court yesterday charged with one count of murder.
He was handcuffed and wearing a white prison jumpsuit when he quietly walked into the courtroom.
He did not enter a plea, but made a hand gesture associated with white supremacists.
The attack which was broadcast live for a time on social media, is the deadliest mass killing in New Zealand since 1943.
Ardern labeled the carnage a terrorist attack and has vowed to change the country's gun laws as a result.
You can watch the live coverage of the interfaith prayer service in Makoi on our Fijivillage Facebook page.
