Guard of honour: Mongrel Mob biker gang vow to stand watch outside mosques in New Zealand to protect Muslims as they pray following the Christchurch massacre

• Mongrel Mob president has offered to protect Jamia Masjid Mosque in Hamilton 
• Muslim Association president Dr Asad Mohsin said all are welcome to pray Friday
• Mohsin said it’s important to show the community is ‘not scared’
• Fatu promised their gesture will be ‘peaceful’ and the gang won’t be armed

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Members of the Waitkato Mongrel Mob have vowed to stand guard outside a New Zealand mosque as Muslims take part in the first Friday prayer since the Christchurch massacre. 

Waikato Mongrel Mob president Sonny Fatu has offered to protect Jamia Masjid Mosque in Hamilton, in New Zealand’s North Island, in a supportive gesture ensuring the community can pray ‘without fear.’   

The Mongrel Mob, along with various other biker gangs across the country, have stepped up to show their support in the wake of the attack, which left 50 people dead and dozens more injured.

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Solidarity: Waikato Mongrel Mob president Sonny Fatu (pictured left) has offered to protect Jamia Masjid Mosque in Hamilton, in New Zealand’s North Island

Biker gangs across New Zealand have come out to show their support in the wake of the Christchurch massacre. Members of the Mongrel Mob (pictured) descended at Hagley College, in Christchurch on Saturday, where Jacinda Arden arrived at about 1pm to greet hundreds of survivors, family members and mourners

‘We will support and assist our Muslim brothers and sisters for however long they need us,’ Fatu told Stuff.

‘We were contacted by a representative who tagged me in and said some of our Muslim brothers and sisters have fears for Friday during their prayer, and the question was posed whether we could be apart of the safety net for them to allow them to pray in peace without fear.’

Waikato Muslim Association president Dr Asad Mohsin said he appreciated the support they have received from ‘different sections of society, different interests and dispositions.’ 

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He said he did not view the mob as ‘gang members.’

‘We value them as humans and we appreciate that they value us too,’ he said. 

Mohsin, however, urged that it is important for the community to show they will not bow down to terror and has invited the gang to pray inside the mosque as opposed to standing guard outside. 

‘There are no fears, and we are not scared. They don’t have to stand outside the mosque, they can come inside, right behind where the sermon is given,’ he told the  New Zealand Herald.  

Mongrel Mob are an organised street gang in New Zealand based across the country. Members have offered to protect Muslim mosques during Friday prayer 

They are seen greeting other mourners at Hagley College on Saturday afternoon

On Sunday, the country’s largest Māori gangs performed a haka near the police cordon at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch. The poignant moment saw around 10 members of Black Power perform (pictured)

He said the Muslim community has been offered support from the police as well. The community has opened its doors to all members of the public on Friday and is expecting a large turnout. 

Mohsin said they will offer space at the park if they cannot accommodate everyone inside.

‘We would love everybody to come, but we don’t want anybody to show they are scared. We are not scared. You don’t have to stand outside the mosque, we want you to be inside, with us,’ he added. 

Fatu promised the Mongrels’ gesture will be a ‘peaceful’ one and the gang will not be armed. 

‘We are peacefully securing the inner gated perimeter, with other community members, to allow them to feel at ease,’ he added. 

‘Our differences are the glue that hold us so tightly together. We must now focus not on where we have been, but where we are going. Let us repair the holes in our waka and restrategise the rest of our journey.’ 

Mufti Zeeyad Ravat, a Muslim leader from Melbourne, was seen leading a prayer at the Deans Ave memorial, near Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on Tuesday

People place flowers at memorial sites as a tribute to victims of the Fridays terrorist attacks on two mosques that left at least 50 people killed

So far, members of the Black Power, Mongrel Mob, Hells Angels, and King Cobras have taken part in tributes for the victims this week. 

On Sunday, 10 members of Black Power, which was first formed in 1970, gathered near the police cordon at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch to perform a moving haka.

In Sydney, members of the Mongrel Mob have also been seen guarding Muslim places of worship. 

New Zealand Police said it has formally identified 21 of the 50 victims murdered in the shooting as of Wednesday. 

Their bodies are now being made available to their families, NZ Police Commissioner Mike Bush said this morning. 

Some 120 forensic workers are involved in the identification process, which began soon after the attacks on two mosques on Friday.

Some 50 people were killed and another 50 were injured when a man opened fire on people gathered for Friday prayers.

Australia Brenton Tarrant, 28, has been charged in relation to the attacks. 

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