Hate can cause death and fear, but it will never last.
When seven of the Linwood mosque members were killed last year in Christchurch terrorist attack, it was neighbors’ love which supported the Muslim community.
In order to maintain these feelings of tolerance, a new plan to rebuild the Christchurch Linwood mosque has been announced.
Investors have bought land around the site and will fund the construction of a new mosque and “tolerance center”, intended to be a hub for people from across the community and all religions.
“We always wanted to build something where everyone can find space for themselves as opposed to only Muslims,” Faisal Sayed, general secretary of the Linwood Islamic Charitable Trust, said, Stuff reported.
“We want to make sure we can create a place where everybody feels inclusive and we can spread that message of peace and dignity and tolerance.”
The project is being funded by the Zahid Foundation and Humanitarian Services, a charitable foundation in the United Arab Emirates, Linwood mosque’s imam Abdul Alabi Lateef said.
The new center will serve as a hub where people can share values and learn about differences.
“To the Muslim community who was impacted enormously, for them it is going to be something really profound and significant spiritually to witness and be a part of,” Sayed said.
“In the healing process of many, it will play a big part.”
The attack has also given “more fuel, more power, more strength” to the mosque rebuild, and a “more meaningful purpose”.
“I think it gives all of us immense strength to do what we do and make it into a reality as quickly as possible.”
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region.
It is home to 404,500 residents, making it New Zealand’s 3rd most populous city behind Auckland and Wellington.
Thousands of New Zealand Muslims will mark the first anniversary of Christchurch terrorist shooting with prayers and national remembrance service.