Terrorist attacks such as that in New Zealand last week went against the teachings of God, Imam Mohammed Elsadi said on Wednesday.

Speaking during an interfaith vigil to honour the victims of the terrorist attacks on mosques in New Zealand, Imam Elsadi told Times of Malta that both the Christian and Islamic faiths were against any form of violence.

The attacks on two Christchurch mosques left 50 dead last Friday, with one gunman – identified as an Australian extremist - apparently live streaming the assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand city.

In what appeared to be the worst attack against Muslims in a western country, witnesses spoke of victims being shot at close range, with women and children among those killed.

Imam Elsadi said the vigil showed solidarity with the victims, their families, the Muslim community and the people of New Zealand.

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne attended and was joined by representatives from the PN, the Democratic Party and Alternattiva Demokratika.

Mr Fearne said the government had condemned the attack and showed full solidarity with the victims.  

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