I/V w/ Rafiqah Sulaiman from MARX: March 27, 2019

Last Friday night, a vigil was held in the Auckland Domain for the lives taken in the Islamophobic terror attacks in Christchurch. The vigil was named Jummah Remembrance and was organised by a number of groups, Migrants Against Racism and Xenophobia, Shakti NZ, Racial Equity Aotearoa, Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga and Auckland Peace Action. They were hosted by Ngāti Whaatua who also opened the vigil with karanga and karakia. On the Facebook event the blurb read, 'On Friday we will gather to remember the precious lives unjustly taken from us, and in total rejection of islamophobia and violence'. Over the weekend some negative reactions to the vigil became apparent, people had been disappointed the vigil had become too "political". People even stated they deliberately left the vigil while it was still going in protest. It is important to remember however, many more people did in fact stay in support and to grieve together. Migrants Against Racism and Xenophobia have responded to those who left in protest saying they 'chose to centre the voices of people who have been most affected by white supremacist terrorism'. The group also acknowledges it was more than just speeches, there were actions throughout the night which were in place to honour those lives taken, and to support those grieving. Rafiqah Sulaiman is part of the Muslim community and a member of MARX who helped to organise the vigil on Friday night. Lillian Hanly spoke with her about the responses to the tone of the vigil and how those very responses are a reflection of the white supremacy these groups were naming. Lillian started however by asking about the vigil itself, why it was organised and what had been planned for the night.