A notorious New Zealand biker gang turned up to guard Muslims during Friday prayer at a mosque in New Zealand in the wake of the country's terror attack.
Bikers also performed a haka outside the mosque in tribute to the Christchurch terror attack victims.
Members of the Mongrel Mob, who pledged to protect their “Muslim brothers and sisters” after the mass shooting, performed the moving haka outside the Jamia Masjid mosque in Hamilton on Friday.
The tribute was watched by members of the Muslim community on the North Island, who clapped and cheered the Mongrel Mob’s haka before heading inside for prayer as the gang stood guard outside.
One Mongrel Mob member was pictured touching noses with Waikato Muslim Association president Dr Asad Mohsi to show support as part of a traditional “Hongi” greeting.
On Wednesday, Mongrel Mob Waikato president Sonny Fatu told Stuff that the gang “will support and assist our Muslim brothers and sisters for however long they need us”.
He added: “We were contacted by a representative who tagged me in and said some of our Muslim brothers and sisters have fears for Friday during their prayer.
"The question was posed whether we could be a part of the safety net for them to allow them to pray in peace without fear.
“Of course we would do that, there is no question about that and we will be dressed appropriately.”
They performed in their trademark black leather waistcoats with British Bulldog logos emblazoned on them.
Haka expert Te Kahuata Maxwell said the performances over the past week were a response to the trauma the community felt after the mass shooting.
"It's the Maori way of dealing with death, it's the Maori way of expressing grief, it's the Maori way of expressing love,” Mr Maxwell, associate professor at the University of Waikato, said.
People across New Zealand observed the Muslim call to prayer on Friday as the nation reflected on the mass shooting one week ago, which claimed the lives of 50 people.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and thousands of others congregated in Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch to observe the call to prayer at 1.30pm local time.
"New Zealand mourns with you. We are one," Ms Ardern said.
Thousands more were listening in on the radio or watching on television as the event was broadcast live. The prayer was followed by two minutes of silence.
Officials laid out a large area of light brown carpeting where hundreds of Muslim men sat in socks or bare feet for the prayer.
The Al Noor mosque's imam, Gamal Fouda, thanked New Zealanders for their support.
"This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart with an evil ideology... But, instead, we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable," the imam said.
"We are broken-hearted but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us," he added, as the crowd erupted with applause.
Later in the day, a mass funeral was held to bury 26 of the victims at a cemetery where more than a dozen already have been laid to rest.
