Fijians offer prayers for victims of Christchurch attack

SUVA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Fijians have offered open prayers on Sunday for the victims of a terror attack in the New Zealand city of Christchurch which left 50 people dead and 50 others wounded.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said during a prayer that the deadly terror attack on Friday afternoon also killed three Fijians and urged the Fijians to speak up against the heinous crime.

"My friends, all too often, after a hate-filled act, we describe the crimes as 'unspeakable.' But while this shooting in Christchurch is unfathomable in both its scale and in the monstrous nature it was committed, it is not unspeakable," the prime minister said.

"Staying silent and not speaking up would be an injustice to the victims and to all of humanity," he said.

"Acts of terror and terrorism, by their very nature, are meant to instill fear into the hearts of those groups who are targeted. As difficult as it may be, try not to let these acts of hatred intimidate you; that was the goal of the coward who committed these crimes."

Bainimarama also called on Fijians not to forget their fallen Fijians, nor their brothers and sisters in New Zealand.

People across the South Pacific island nation held vigils on Sunday to honor all the victims in mass shootings in Christchurch.