WORSHIPPERS at George Town’s Kapitan Keling Mosque tonight held tahlil prayers for victims of the Christchurch shootings.

Non-Muslims, too, were invited to join the prayers at the mosque in Jalan Kapitan Keling, also known as “Street of Harmony” for its houses of worship of various religions.

Among the attendees was Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who sat with the congregation of more than 100 people.

He described the gathering as one of peace.

“We cannot fight violence or terror with more violence. The only way is peace. By showing peace, we have won.

“The peace we’ve shown here tonight overcomes terror.

“We pray that Penang and Malaysia will always be blessed with peace and happiness,” he said in a short speech after the prayers.

The terror assault on Al-Noor and Linwood Mosques on Friday killed 50 people and wounded dozens others. Three Malaysians are among the injured.

One of them, Rahimi Ahmad, hails from Bayan Lepas, and works as a dairy factory technician.

Soon after discovering a Penangite was hurt in the attacks, the state government flew Rahimi’s mother and brother to Christchurch, accompanied by state exco Phee Boon Poh and assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz.

Chow said aid has been sent to the victims, and that everyone is praying for their quick recovery.

He praised the Kapitan Keling Mosque committee for organising the prayers, saying it shows that Penang folk care about the tragedy that occurred in usually tranquil New Zealand.

Mosque chairman Meera Mydin Mastan said the prayers were specially held to honour the victims of the Christchurch attacks.

“It happened when they were praying in the house of God. No community or religion can condone the attacks.

“That was why we wanted to do something to show that we all condemn the assailant’s actions.”

Meera also thanked the New Zealand government for helping the victims and their families, and lauded the “exemplary leadership” of Prime Minister Jacinda Arden.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Azrul as saying the three Malaysian victims are recovering well at Christchurch Hospital.

He said Rahimi, 39, can now move his fingers to give feedback.

“When I visited Rahimi, he was no longer using a breathing apparatus… this is a positive development,” he said via WhatsApp.

Azrul also visited the two other Malaysians, namely Mohd Tarmizi Shuib and Mohd Nazril Hisham Omar, both 46.

He said Tarmizi’s family members arrived in Christchurch today.

“Tarmizi and Nazril Hisham are recovering… we just do not know how long they will remain in hospital.”

Tarmizi’s son, 17-year-old Haziq, remains missing after the attacks. – March 19, 2019.