All in Greater Shepparton are invited to gather at Shepparton’s Albanian Mosque on Acacia St on Friday following afternoon prayers, around 2:10pm. The gathering is in response to the mass murders in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday, Albanian Moslem Society of Shepparton president Enver Sabri said.
“Everyone is welcome,” Mr Sabri said. The gathering will follow after the normal Friday Prayers at approximately 2:10pm.
Mosque member and Voices of Harmony spokesperson Cameron Albanoi said Friday’s attack, which took place just before afternoon prayers, had united the community against violence.
“It is a tragic day for all humanity. It affects every single person, peaceful and progressive minded. It affects the very core of humanity,” he said. “No violence or form of terrorism justifies what happened.” Mr Albanoi thanked those who had rallied around the Muslim community in recent days.
“To the broader community, I would like to thank them, they have been fantastic,” he said. “The Shepparton community has been great and very supportive, even I understand at the festival on Saturday night down by the lake. They were holding hands and the mayor made a great address to the community.”
Shepparton is the most multicultural region in Australia and has the highest concentration of people of Islamic faith per capita, according to the 2016 census.
The Albanian Mosque is the oldest in the state, having first opened its doors in 1960.
Anyone wanting to show support for the local Muslim community can attend Albanian Islamic Centre of Shepparton on Friday, following afternoon prayers, which should finish by 2.10pm.
