UPDATE 6.20pm More than 200 people have gathered at St Paul's this evening, to reflect on the horrific events in Christchurch on Friday.
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They have come together in silence and for short, solemn speeches - offering prayers for families and friends of the victims, the injured, those who attended the scene, and for the Muslim community in Bendigo.
Dean Elizabeth Dyke conducted the welcome, and was joined in speeches by City of Greater Bendigo mayor Margaret O'Rourke, Mr Atalla of the Bendigo Islamic Association and Interfaith Council chair Frank Marriott.
Those at the service came together to say 'we gather in recognition of the pain and suffering recently inflicted on the Islamic community, and through them, on all faith communities'.
EARLIER: Bendigo's religious leaders have called for peace after a terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 50 people.
The Bendigo Islamic Association and the Bendigo Islamic Community Centre said its thoughts and condolences were with victims and their loved ones, in a statement released on Saturday.
St Paul's Cathedral Bendigo will hold a vigil on Sunday evening in sorrow and solidarity with the Muslim community.
Read more: Memories of the NZ mosque attack victims
The Islamic Association and Islamic Community Centre urged Bendigo residents to stand united in peace, in its statement.
It thanked the religious groups, organisations and individuals who have offered prayers and support to the Muslim community in Christchurch and beyond.
"We call on all people of Bendigo to continue, as before, to take an even greater stand against violence, racism, hate speech, bigotry and incitement which is at the heart of events such as these in Christchurch," the statement said.
"So let us stay united in peace at this difficult time and do all that we can to prevent this from happening again. It is not only a sad time for Muslims but for humanity."
Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, Bendigo, the Very Reverend Elizabeth Dyke said the church's heart went out to the Muslim community in Bendigo in their distress.
Dean Dyke said she was "shocked and appalled" by the terror attack on people at prayer.
Members of Bendigo's churches will gather on the steps of the cathedral for prayer, a time of silence and speeches.
Prayers will be offered for families and friends of the victims, the injured, and all those who attended the scene, and for the Muslim community in Bendigo.
The group will bear a bowl of salted water to represent the tears of the people, and a light, as a reminder to be a light during a dark time.
All are welcome at the vigil.
"Jesus tells us to weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn, and that's exactly what we'll be doing tonight," Dean Dyke said.
"I'm hoping that it will stir people's concern. Everyone is different, and not to be afraid. We're just people trying to live our lives the best way we can."
City of Greater Bendigo has lowered the flag to half-mast on the Bendigo Town Hall out of respect for the attack.
Vigil of Sorrow and Solidarity, St Paul's Cathedral Bendigo, 6pm, Sunday March 17.
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