Hundreds Of Muslims Take Part In A March To Manchester Arena
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Hundreds of Muslims marched to the Manchester Arena last night to lay flowers and honour the memories of those who died in the terrorist attack on Monday.
The North Manchester Jamia Mosque organised the walk to give show solidarity with the city and to give members of the Muslim community a chance to pay their respects to the victims, the Manchester Evening News reports.
In total, around 500 Muslims, including hundreds of children, took part in the walk from the mosque in Cheetham Hill to the Manchester Arena.
They carried flowers, balloons and posters on the three-mile walk, and held a vigil when they arrived.
Moin Azmi, spokesman for the mosque, told the paper:"It was really good to see people driving past supporting us. That's the image we want to show - that we are a part of society campaigning against the terrorist.
"The children were more upset this time because other children had been killed. Children were killed when they should have been having fun. They wanted to show solidarity and be part of society."
The crowd was joined by non-Muslims as they made their way to the arena, keen to lend their support, others applauded them as they went past.
Imam Arshad Misbahi added: "This peace walk shows our feelings towards the atrocity. It was against the teachings of Islam. We organised the walk for our students.
Credit: Ruptly
"They have been asking questions at school and we feel as a Mosque we have to unite and show our sympathy for the lives that have been lost."
Thousands of people gathered last Tuesday, the day after the attack, to show solidarity.
The pinnacle of the vigil in Albert Square was a poem by Tony Walsh, AKA 'Longfella'.
Tony told LADbible: "It's absolutely devastating, what happened, for us as a city and humans. And devastating doesn't even cover that for the families.
"The spirit of Manchester is one of unity, a co-operation, a solidarity, diversity, and the mood in the square the other night was we are going to keep that, and that's not going to be bombed out of us.
"There'll be people who find it hard to smile today, for the foreseeable future, but we stand with them," he reflected.
"But what makes us human is we find our bravery, and we try to smile, and I wish everyone involved many more smiles to come."
A M.E.N. appeal for the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack and their families has now reached more than £1.7 million.
Featured Image Credit: Ruptly
Topics: Manchester attack
