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Islamic Center of Waco holds memorial prayer for New Zealand shooting victims

The Islamic Center of Waco invited the community to its Friday prayer.

WACO, Texas — Central Texans from different backgrounds came together for a memorial prayer on Friday for the shooting victims of the New Zealand Christ Church terrorist attack.

Billal Siddiq is the outreach coordinator at the Islamic Center of Waco. He said when he heard about the terror attack in New Zealand, it made him mad.

"We can prevent this, but we have to be open to talking and we have to be open to reaching over the isle," Siddiq said. "This isn’t a Democratic or Republican issue. This is a humanity issue."

As a way to stand in solidarity, The Islamic Center of Waco invited the community to its Friday prayer. The prayer honored the 50 worshipers killed and dozens more injured in the mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand last Friday.

Bella Sacco said when she heard about the shooting, she researched what she could do to help the Muslim community.

"What I found is that just being in the presence and being here helps so much,” Sacco said. "I try to be here and be there with them to show that everyone is here and we care."

New Zealand's Prime Minister described the shootings as a well-planned terrorist attack. Siddiq said more people should talk to each other and find a way to unite.

“When you cut me open, I’m going to bleed the same blood that's flowing through your veins," he said. "We are all human beings. When we realize that we will all have a much easier time coming together."

The Waco Police Department and the McLennan County Sheriff's Office were at the mosque to make sure the event stayed safe.

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