A HORRIFIC mass shooting in New Zealand has bolstered the faith of Tamworth's Muslim community.
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Just days after 50 people were shot dead in the midst of worship, the Muslim community has held a sombre prayer in the name of the victims.
Fawaz Ahamed led the Friday prayer, outside police guarded the community centre where the men come to meet.
"We are all grieving the loss of lives, with New Zealanders coming in here today it's a huge relief to us, it shows us that the unity is the key," he said.
"We all have to come together regardless of religion, race, where we come from.
"At the end of the day we are all human beings, we want to open up doors for everyone, everyone is welcome here."
The men were joined by members of the New Zealand community who came to pay their respects.
Wearing traditional garb, Helen Hystek said everyone has been affected by the devastating massacre in her home country.
"It's so important that not just the Muslim community, the New Zealand community, we all come together and grieve together because it's affected all of us," she said.
"I think it's great the question board has been opened for us and for everyone.
"What's happened has just been awful but the one thing that has come about this is that we've stayed united, we've become even closer."
Children as young as three years old were killed in the Christchurch attack that saw a 28-year-old white supremacist conduct two consecutive attacks on Muslim mosques in New Zealand.
The attacks began at the Al Noor Mosquein on the afternoon of March 15 and continued at the Linwood Islamic Centre.
The man has been arrested and charged with murder. In Tamworth, Mr Ahamed said it's so important that this incident open dialogue between the Muslim and non-Muslim community.
On Thursday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern banned all assault riffles, semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines and referred to the attacks as "one of New Zealand's darkest days".
"On 15 March our history changed forever, now our laws will too," Ms Ardern said at a press conference in Wellington.