Vancouver vigil honours victims of New Zealand mosque shootings

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As the world comes to grips with what happened in New Zealand, vigils are being held all around the world, including Vancouver.

Vancouver’s Al Jamia mosque was flooded with mourners Friday night, praying and remembering the lives lost.

One of the people at the vigil says attending the vigil was the least he could do to pay his respects. Others expressed solace that so many others came on Friday night to pay their respects.

Many people stayed outside and stood in silence.

“It’s very moving,” Christine Pilgrim, who attended the vigil, said. “There are people here who are Jewish showing their religion, Sikh, different beliefs systems that all boil down to the same basic tenet which is love, love one another.”

Another was also held in Victoria Friday afternoon.

The attack at the two mosques in Christchurch left New Zealand and the global community mourning the loss of 49 people.

Four people were taken into custody, and one has since been charged.

Leaders from around the world have condemned the attacks, with some saying it’s evidence of a rising tide of violent anti-Islam sentiment.

-With files from Hana Mae Nassar