![Devout: Muslims from Albury-Wodonga prayer outside the mosque at Lavington on Friday afternoon. Devout: Muslims from Albury-Wodonga prayer outside the mosque at Lavington on Friday afternoon.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/af254284-e6d4-48c9-be6d-1a1da0999740.jpg/r0_0_2206_2941_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
BORDER Muslims say the support of the wider community "means the world to us" after the terrorist attack that saw 50 of their brothers and sisters killed in New Zealand.
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More than 80 gathered at Lavington on Friday for prayers, a week after the tragedy in Christchurch which saw the killer target Muslims at mosques.
Police stood guard outside the front fence of the Wagga Road mosque, while a family of expatriate Kiwis en route to the Albury Gold Cup races dropped in for a haka.
"It's just to show our support and love," Charles Davis, who led the dance, said.
![Grateful: Muhammad Umar Ansari thanked the Border community for rallying around Muslims following last week's tragedy in New Zealand. Grateful: Muhammad Umar Ansari thanked the Border community for rallying around Muslims following last week's tragedy in New Zealand.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/1bc97c0b-063e-458f-a12b-69118d477253.jpg/r0_0_2215_2953_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Before prayers, Islamic Society of Albury-Wodonga's Muhammad Umar Ansari spoke of the "tough week".
"The tragic events of last Friday in Christchurch, New Zealand, have impacted Muslims all over the world, including our small Muslim community here in Albury-Wodonga," Mr Ansari told those gathered.
"We were all scared and confused, unsure of what would happen next and if we should be worried about our own security here in Australia.
"But immediately after the incident we were contacted by Albury police, who assured us of their support and co-operation and informed us that they were already patrolling our mosque every few hours."
![Peace of mind: Police are thanked for standing guard outside the Wagga Road mosque during Friday's prayers. Peace of mind: Police are thanked for standing guard outside the Wagga Road mosque during Friday's prayers.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/9b34fbe3-d961-4334-ac6d-406655994dae.jpg/r0_0_2373_3164_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Ansari told of support from other believers and welcomed priests Peter MacLeod-Miller and Martin Cruickshank, from Albury's Anglican and Catholic churches, to the mosque.
He spoke of Senator Bridget McKenzie visiting the mosque and religious studies year 10s from Thurgoona's Trinity Anglican College sending caring letters.
"This show of love and inclusion and these acts of kindness and support from our community, politicians and police made us feel that we are not alone," Mr Ansari said.
"We would like to thank everyone who reached out to us and we want them to know their support means the world to us."
![Special moment: Charles Davis, dressed for the races in a red vest, leads his family in a haka in a tribute to those killed in Christchurch last week. Special moment: Charles Davis, dressed for the races in a red vest, leads his family in a haka in a tribute to those killed in Christchurch last week.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/6c552d0a-b658-4af8-80eb-b9d99ce75b9f.jpg/r0_0_2106_2808_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Ansari also hailed the "exemplary" leadership of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in comforting her country's Muslims.
Father MacLeod-Miller thanked the faithful for their hospitality and passed on regards from member for Farrer Sussan Ley.
"I have been amazed that our community has been joined together not in fear, but in love and compassion and we are with you very much," he said.
![Interfaith: Anglican priest Peter MacLeod-Miller addresses Muslims gathered for prayers at their Border mosque. Interfaith: Anglican priest Peter MacLeod-Miller addresses Muslims gathered for prayers at their Border mosque.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/130e3307-cb46-46c2-b190-41141324a610.jpg/r0_0_2275_3033_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)