• The country’s highest ranking Muslim police officer fought back tears as she shared a heartfelt message at a vigil staged to pay tribute to martyred: . 

Speaking at downtown Auckland’s Aotea Square, Superintendent Naila Hassan told the crowd gathered she was a “proud Muslim, and a leader in the New Zealand Police”. 

“This is a precautionary message to ensure the safety of our brothers and sisters and our communities around New Zealand. 

“I know this is a very very distressing time for our Muslim community in particular, but to everyone in our communities,” Hassan said. 

Hassan said there had been an increased police presence around mosques and Islamic centres nationwide. 

“I am horrified, as are all my colleagues in the New Zealand Police, around the events in Christchurch.”

In total, the attacks claimed 50 lives and left 48 people injured. Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, has been charged with murder over the attack.

A man, who appeared to be a Muslim leader, spoke after Hassan and said the support shown by police and politicians had been “amazing”.

“The New Zealand community has all come together to support us, I have had thousands of messages in just 30 hours.” 

He had a message for the haters: “You’re not going to frighten us.”

“We are New Zealanders, we will stand together, and if anybody is isolated it’s you the haters. 

“We will overcome the hate with love.”

He urged people to think before acting: “Please use your head before doing actions, because we need to make sure we do not respond to those haters with hate.”