Christian Man Makes Gesture Of Solidarity Following New Zealand Terror Attack

A Christian man has stood outside a mosque holding a touching sign telling Muslims he would 'keep watch while they pray' following the Christchurch terror attack.

Andrew Graystone, from Levenshulme, decided to make the sweet gesture after being left horrified by the New Zealand attack which left 49 dead as they attended Friday prayers.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Andrew said: "I woke up on Friday morning and I heard the terrible news about the killings in the mosque in Christchurch in New Zealand.

"I began to think about how I would feel if I was a Muslim in Manchester going to Friday prayers today, perhaps feeling afraid or angry, and what small thing I could do to make a difference.

"You can either meet these things with either fear or friendship - that's the choice we have to make and in the end friendship wins."

His message read: "You are my friends. I will keep watch while you pray."

After it was shared online by Zia Salik the photo quickly went viral with thousands of likes and piles of comments from people heaping praise on the kind act.

Andrew said he's received messages from people from all over the world since his snap was posted on social media.

His, understandably very proud daughter also shared the snap, writing: "Dear world. This is my Dad Andrew Graystone and I am SO proud, in every way, to be his daughter!"

Explaining why he decided to make the sign, he told the paper: "Levenshulme is a very multicultural community with churches, mosques and even a Jain temple all very close together.

"The relationships are generally really good but something like the New Zealand incident can test them.

"I thought what had happened in New Zealand happened during Friday prayers.

"Something I could offer to people in Manchester was to literally watch their backs or at least stand outside with a smiling face at the doors of the mosque as they arrive.

"You could see people wondering what I was doing at first. Perhaps they thought I was some sort of protester with a placard.

"But as they saw the message they smiled and after prayers they came out to thank me. People said they were glad to be supported.

"I belong to a church and so we have a lot in common."

Topics: Inspirational, UK

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19