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A SECOND vigil is planned in Bendigo, marking a week since 50 people were killed in a terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch. Bendigo Islamic Association president and Bendigo Islamic Community Centre executive committee member Sameer Syed said a lot of people had been wanting to come together and do something to show their support for the Muslim community. "Because we've had so much support previously we kind of expected that," Mr Syed said. He said it was a pleasant surprise, all the same. More than 200 people gathered at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral Bendigo on Sunday for a vigil of sorrow and solidarity with the Muslim community. Mr Syed said Friday's vigil would be open to all members of the community, and invitations would be extended to all of the community's interfaith groups. The venue will be the Strathdale Community Centre, and people are welcome to attend from 6.30pm onwards. RELATED: Sorrow and solidarity in Bendigo after Christchurch mosque attack Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the lack of an Islamic place of worship in Bendigo was a strong theme to emerge from Sunday's vigil. "The reason why we couldn't have this at a mosque or be part of the open mosque day across Victoria is because we don't have a mosque," she said. "Next year we want to have these services in our first mosque in Bendigo." Plans for the Bendigo Islamic Community Centre are progressing. Mr Syed was hopeful construction on the first part of the five-stage project would start in the next three to four months. Fundraising for the Bendigo Islamic Community Centre is ongoing. "What upsets them is that in their original plans there were going to be no fences," Ms Chesters said. "They're now thinking about putting fences on the site, which is the complete opposite to their original idea of being a very open space, very inclusive space and inviting the rest of Bendigo into their mosque." Mr Syed confirmed the possibility of fences was mentioned to Ms Chesters on Sunday as part of a casual conversation about safety, in light of what had happened at Christchurch. But he said it was too early to say whether fences would be incorporated into the plans. "The plans remain as they are, unchanged," Mr Syed said. "Ideally, we'd like it to still remain open and not to have fences." RELATED: The Bendigo Islamic Community Centre has been designed to reflect transparency and openness. In addition to open spaces, Mr Syed said there was a lot of glass incorporated into the design, encouraging people on the inside to look out and inviting those outside to look in. The community centre will be surrounded by trees and in a serene bush setting. Mr Syed said safety had always been - and was always going to be - a consideration in the project, including during the construction phase. It is not yet known which part of the community centre will be constructed first. "Ideally the mosque, but we'll see what is feasible," Mr Syed said. He attributed delays in starting construction to putting together the funds needed. "We will be starting as soon as we can," Mr Syed said. Ms Chesters said it was alarming to members of the Muslim community that protesters continued to attend the project site. "They come up from Melbourne for that, so we shouldn't think that they're locals," she said. Mr Syed said Bendigo Muslims had also received so much support from the broader community since the protests. "It's been really reassuring for us," he said. RELATED: Openness at the heart of mosque design Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services executive officer Kate McInnes said Friday's events in Christchurch had many people in Bendigo and around the world considering how people could practice their religion safety and without fear. "Clearly, these people did not have that opportunity," she said of those killed and injured in the attack in New Zealand. Multicultural Services has strongly condemned the violence against Muslim worshippers. "We extend our deepest sympathies and thoughts to all victims, survivors, their families, friends and communities," the organisation said in a statement. "We stand in solidarity with everyone in Bendigo, Christchurch and people around the world affected by these horrific attacks. We stand against all forms of hate, racism and extremism." Multicultural Services urged all political, cultural and community leaders in Bendigo to show leadership by championing messages of peace, inclusion and harmony. "All people should be free to practice their culture, beliefs and religion in safety and without fear," it said. Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
More than 200 people gathered at Sunday's vigil at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral Bendigo. Picture: ELSPETH KERNEBONE
A SECOND vigil is planned in Bendigo, marking a week since 50 people were killed in a terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch.
Bendigo Islamic Association president and Bendigo Islamic Community Centre executive committee member Sameer Syed said a lot of people had been wanting to come together and do something to show their support for the Muslim community.
"Because we've had so much support previously we kind of expected that," Mr Syed said.
Mr Syed said Friday's vigil would be open to all members of the community, and invitations would be extended to all of the community's interfaith groups.
The venue will be the Strathdale Community Centre, and people are welcome to attend from 6.30pm onwards.
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the lack of an Islamic place of worship in Bendigo was a strong theme to emerge from Sunday's vigil.
"The reason why we couldn't have this at a mosque or be part of the open mosque day across Victoria is because we don't have a mosque," she said.
"Next year we want to have these services in our first mosque in Bendigo."
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Plans for the Bendigo Islamic Community Centre are progressing.
Mr Syed was hopeful construction on the first part of the five-stage project would start in the next three to four months.
Fundraising for the Bendigo Islamic Community Centre is ongoing.
"What upsets them is that in their original plans there were going to be no fences," Ms Chesters said.
"They're now thinking about putting fences on the site, which is the complete opposite to their original idea of being a very open space, very inclusive space and inviting the rest of Bendigo into their mosque."
Mr Syed confirmed the possibility of fences was mentioned to Ms Chesters on Sunday as part of a casual conversation about safety, in light of what had happened at Christchurch.
But he said it was too early to say whether fences would be incorporated into the plans.
"The plans remain as they are, unchanged," Mr Syed said.
"Ideally, we'd like it to still remain open and not to have fences."
The Bendigo Islamic Community Centre has been designed to reflect transparency and openness.
In addition to open spaces, Mr Syed said there was a lot of glass incorporated into the design, encouraging people on the inside to look out and inviting those outside to look in.
The community centre will be surrounded by trees and in a serene bush setting.
Mr Syed said safety had always been - and was always going to be - a consideration in the project, including during the construction phase.
It is not yet known which part of the community centre will be constructed first.
"Ideally the mosque, but we'll see what is feasible," Mr Syed said.
He attributed delays in starting construction to putting together the funds needed.
"We will be starting as soon as we can," Mr Syed said.
Ms Chesters said it was alarming to members of the Muslim community that protesters continued to attend the project site.
"They come up from Melbourne for that, so we shouldn't think that they're locals," she said.
Mr Syed said Bendigo Muslims had also received so much support from the broader community since the protests.
Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services executive officer Kate McInnes said Friday's events in Christchurch had many people in Bendigo and around the world considering how people could practice their religion safety and without fear.
"Clearly, these people did not have that opportunity," she said of those killed and injured in the attack in New Zealand.
Multicultural Services has strongly condemned the violence against Muslim worshippers.
"We extend our deepest sympathies and thoughts to all victims, survivors, their families, friends and communities," the organisation said in a statement.
"We stand in solidarity with everyone in Bendigo, Christchurch and people around the world affected by these horrific attacks. We stand against all forms of hate, racism and extremism."
Multicultural Services urged all political, cultural and community leaders in Bendigo to show leadership by championing messages of peace, inclusion and harmony.
"All people should be free to practice their culture, beliefs and religion in safety and without fear," it said.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
