Bennett DavidHon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): Assalamo alaikum. Peace be upon you peace be upon all of us. We recognise and pay respect today to the 50 lives lost in the terrorist attack in Christchurch on Friday. Our sympathies are with the families and communities affected by this terrible attack. This has been an emotional time for all New Zealanders especially our Muslim brothers and sisters. The way our country has come together to recognise the threat to our own value systems and the need to repair and rebuild relationships has been immense. I want to thank the PM on her strong words that resonated with both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities alike. The way she has dealt with this situation has been well recognised nationally and internationally. I want to commend the Muslim community for their forbearance patience and understanding at this time. This was a terrorist act. It was a deliberate calculated attack to maximise loss of life. The Muslim community could have responded with fear isolation and revenge. Instead they have focused on compassion reflection kindness and openness. Their maturity has been a beacon of light at this time of darkness. To our first responders we thank you for your work in the most difficult of circumstances. To our police medical staff and ambulance staff thank you for your service to our people. New Zealanders are a fair-minded and welcoming people. We believe everybody has a place in this country and condemn any actions that compromise our uniquely Kiwi values. What happened on Friday was not New Zealand; what has happened since is New Zealand. I want to pay tribute to two inspirational leaders of the Muslim community in New Zealand Dr Mustafa Farouk and Dr Anwar Ghani. Both have led the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand over many years and along with Ismail Gamadid Dr Asad Mohsin and Dr Anisur Rahman have worked tirelessly in Hamilton to see a vision of Islamic relations in our country in our city. In Hamilton there have been arson attacks on our mosque in the late 1990s and just a few years ago. Those leaders made a conscious decision to open the mosque to the wider community and mosque open days and multicultural events have all culminated in promoting a vision of unity and understanding. But there are some changes that are required to build stronger relations with our Muslim communities. Many young Muslims are getting tertiary qualifications but not employment. Many Muslim families find it difficult to get private rental housing. Many young Muslims struggle in our education system. These are issues that need to be addressed to enable better unity and connection.Over the last few days along with other MPs and my colleagues from Hamilton Tim and Jamie we've been at the Hamilton mosque. The Hamilton mosque is down a long road leading to a roundabout. This means that visitors inevitably have to park some distance down the road. Over the last few days from 7.30 in the morning till about 10 p.m. at night there has been a steady stream of thousands of people coming to pay their respects. They are from all ages walks of life and beliefs. Many I believe have been looking for a way to reach out to the Muslim community but haven't known how to do so. They are wanting to say that they value the Muslim presence in our community that we are all one people and that we need to understand each other. Ready to welcome them are lines of young Muslim men and women that are stunned by these attacks. They came to New Zealand for peace and a better life. They look at the faces of the people coming down with their partners in hand their children in hand and holding flowers—there are tears everywhere. The people come in and they stand they spend time; some write on the footpath with messages in chalk others in song. This poignant message to the Muslim greeters is one of friendship love and respect. That is what New Zealand is about. In true Kiwi fashion too the Muslim community wants to repay this solidarity and offers to open their doors for the visitors so that they can see what the mosque looks like and how we are all one people with the same aspirations and desires. On Monday night we had the chance to welcome those very Muslim leaders to our church the Catholic church and as people were going up for communion they turned and hugged those Muslim leaders in the church. In the last few days New Zealand has grown even stronger together with bonds of unity and humanity for Muslim and non-Muslim alike that demonstrates our true belief in peace for all in this country. We can do so much more to make our society better. We have a vision set by our leaders Mustafa Anwar and Ismail that will work. Let's do our part to make sure we encourage and build the love and respect that is required to achieve that vision. My deepest sympathy to all those who lost their lives in Christchurch and their families. Kia kaha Christchurch. We are with you. Assalamo alaikum.