Landmarks in Melbourne lit up as mourners grieve New Zealand terror attack

Hundreds of people of all faiths came together in Melbourne tonight to honour those who lost their lives in the Christchurch terror attacks.

Hundreds of people of all faiths came together in Melbourne tonight to honour those who lost their lives in the Christchurch terror attacks.

The candlelit vigil on the State Library lawn was marked with 49 prayer mats for the 49 victims.

Three imams led the prayers, reciting passages from the Koran, as Flinders Street station lit up in the colours of New Zealand’s flag.

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Flinders St Station has been lit up tonight in support of New Zealand. Picture: Jaimi Chisholm/Getty Images

Mourners at tonight’s vigil in Melbourne. Picture: Jaimi Chisholm/Getty Images

The sombre service included a tribute to the dead and a message that they were martyrs in paradise.

Children clutched candles as they sat on the steps beside a floral shrine.

President of the national council of churches, from the Anglican Church, Bishop Phillip Huggins said “our hearts break together”.

The prayer rugs in the foreground represent the 49 people who were killed. Picture: Ian Currie

A young girl lights candles for the 49 people who were killed by the terrorist. Picture: Ian Currie

People of all faiths showed their support in Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

Bishop Huggins said it was up to all of us to combat the “disease” of the hate thought and hate speech that led to hate actions.

“We must make sure every tentacle of it disappears.”

Hundreds of people made signs of prayer and peace outside the State Library of Victoria to honour the 49 people killed at mosques in New Zealand.

More vigils were held tonight in a show of support for the state’s Islamic community ahead of the state’s Victorian Mosque Open Day on Sunday.

Premier Daniel Andrews urged Victorians to stand together in the wake of the Christchurch terror attack.

Candlelight vigils were held on Saturday outside the State Library of Victoria but the peaceful display was a stark contrast to violence which broke out an event organised for controversial Senator Fraser Anning.

At one point violence erupted when a protester threw at egg at the controversial senator’s head.

Different religions came together to pray for those impacted by the tragedy. Picture: Ian Currie

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the annual Mosque Open Day from 10am on Sunday in a show of support for the Islamic population.

Mr Andrews, who will attend, said Victorians would not be divided by fear and hate.

“Those who committed these acts of violence against the Muslim community seek to destroy the diversity we hold dear — as a state, we will not let them win,” he said.

“We will stand together against this terror — because our diversity is our strength.”

VICTIM WATCHED BROTHER’S DEATH VIA LIVESTREAM

A victim caught up in the horrific Christchurch mosque massacre has spoken of the moment he saw his brother shot dead, via the shooter’s livestream.

Ramsan Ali spoke to 3AW’s Neil Mitchell this morning, saying he was inside the mosque when the gunman came in and started shooting.

“I was in the mosque when the thing started, and I stayed there — I was the last person out of the mosque alive,” Mr Ali said.

Ramsan Ali told 3AW he saw his brother killed via the shooter’s livestream of the Christchurch mosque massacre.

Police outside the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch. Picture: AAP

“When he started shooting I was sitting on a vertical bench at the back. I dived under the bench, I put half of my body under it and half was out.

“I think he thought I was dead. He went over me and he hit other people but he didn’t shoot me.”

Mr Ali said he was recovering in hospital but that his brother had been killed and he witnessed his murder via the shooter’s livestream.

“I lost by brother. It’s still not confirmed whether he is dead or not, but I have seen from social media that he has been shot from close range,” Mr Ali told Neil Mitchell.

He later said his brother was just metres from him when the shooting began.

“My brother was probably about three metres away from me but he was sitting on the floor because in mosques you normally go for somewhere to sit on the floor,” Mr Ali said.

Mr Ali said his brother had not been reported on any victim lists.

“I just wanted to check if something happened to my brother. I found out that he was lying out before the person who shot him at close range.”

People broke down in tears at a rally in Melbourne to show support for the victims of the Christchurch massacre. Picture: Tim Carrafa

A supporter holds a sign reading “Sympathy & love to all Muslim communities”. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Originally published as Landmarks in Melbourne lit up as mourners grieve New Zealand terror attack