Milton Keynes united against hatred earlier this evening, with a prayer vigil for the Christchurch mosque victims.
Hundreds of people made their way to the Milton Keynes Rose in Campbell Park, joining with religious leaders and fellow muslims to condemn the attacks.
Imam Mujeeb Mirza began proceedings, reciting a portion of the Holy Quran.
Speakers included Jawaad Butt, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of MK, Tim Norwood the Area Dean for the Church of England, and representatives from the local Muslim Shia Community and Muslim communities.
The Mayor of Milton Keynes and Police Commander Yvette Hitch also contributed, and Shazaib Ayub recited a poem he had written following the attacks.
Saeed Nazir is President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in Milton Keynes. He said: "It is not enough to be someone who dislikes terrorism, you have to go beyond that, and actively talk against it. It doesn't matter who the attack was against, or who the perpertrator was. What really matters is that we show the world through dialogue and education that we are not that different to each other.
He added: "We must join together to tackle all forms of racial, ethnic and religious hatred with wisdom, and with a firm hand."
The assembled observed a minute's silence to remember those who died, and those who were injured in the atrocity, before faith leaders, representatives from the various communities and members of the public lit candles and laid flowers.
The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community rang loud and clear throughout the vigil: Love for all, hatred for none.
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