Illawarra religious leaders are urging the wider community to stand together in the wake of the New Zealand massacre which saw at least 49 people die.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A public peace vigil will be held in Wollongong's Crown Street Mall on Monday evening, for the victims of two terrorist shootings at two Christchurch mosques on Friday.
A 28-year-old NSW personal trainer fronted a Christchurch court on Saturday charged with murder, police saying he is likely to face more charges.
Wesley Church on the Mall's Reverend Geoff Flynn will be one of the speakers at the vigil.
"[These type of events] are often designed to strike fear into peoples hearts," Reverend Flynn said.
"I think it's important, we as people of the Illawarra, to stand together for peace and say that we don't support such acts of terror and violence in our community.
"I think it sends a message that we are one people of the Illawarra rather than allowing ourselves to divide into Christians and Muslims, or supremacists and migrants."
Read More: A dozen still critical after NZ shootings
The Uniting Church minister urged people to move forward in hope, not in fear.
"We are one world, there is no room to divide - that just leads to violence and bloodshed," Reverend Flynn said.
Many Illawarra residents have been leaving cards of sympathy and flowers at the steps of local mosques since attack.
President of Gwynneville's Omar Mosque, Dr Munir Hussain, thanked the public for their "beautiful" show of support and solidarity during the dark time.
"It's such a horrible thing and hard to come to terms with, I couldn't believe it could happen in New Zealand," Dr Hussain said.
Meantime, Wollongong Sergeant Lisa Westwood said Illawarra police were following suit with the rest of the state in increasing patrols, as well as reaching out to community and religious leaders to provide support and reassurance.
The Illawarra People for Peace community vigil to honour the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack is on Monday, 5:30pm out the front of the Wesley Church on the Mall.