Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife have joined politicians and religious figures in the heart of Sydney for an interfaith service following Friday's massacre in Christchurch.
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Mr Morrison arrived at St Mary's Cathedral in the city on Sunday afternoon along with the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the New Zealand Consul General to Australia Bill Dobbie for the service of remembrance.
Fifty people died in the attack on two mosques on New Zealand's South Island and at least 50 people were wounded.
Members of the public "from any denomination" were invited to attend and were joined by representatives from the Catholic, Anglican, Muslim, Coptic and Jewish faiths.
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Reverend Anthony Fisher told the congregation they stood together "in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters, in their grief, horror and disgust".
This solidarity is built on an "insistence on our common humanity; it is awareness of our common vulnerability as individuals but our strength when we stand together," Rev Fisher said on Sunday.
The Grand Mufti said the perpetrator of the attack "will not divide us".
Mr Dobbie said New Zealand did not stand alone, but together with Australia, for the values of kindness, diversity and compassion.
Dr Mohammed thanked those gathered at the church in the name of the Muslim communities in Australia and New Zealand and in the name of the victims "to help us to heal from this great pain".
Other public figures including the Governor of NSW David Hurley, Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek, NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore were also in attendance.
Both the Australian and New Zealand national anthems were sung during the service.
A rally to show solidarity for the Muslim community was held nearby.
Earlier on Sunday the prime minister gathered with about 200 parishioners at St Mark's Coptic Church in Arncliffe in southern Sydney with his wife Jenny Morrison and their two daughters.
He was joined by Immigration Minister David Coleman to pray for the victims of the massacre.
Mr Morrison urged Australians to come together and spread messages of hope after the "horrendous and despicable" attack.
"In a moment, innocence can be attacked and lost by an act of hate," he told the congregation.
Sunday's gathering was attended by several religious leaders and the consular general of Egypt.
Australian Associated Press
