Vigils are being held across the UK and a minute's silence was observed in the House of Commons for the 49 victims of the two mass shootings at mosques in New Zealand.

Early this morning a gunman in his late twenties who identified himself as an Australian, live-streamed the rampage at Al Noor mosque in Christchurch to Facebook, where he had espoused racist, anti-immigrant views previously.

The tragedy was the worst in the country's history and prompted outpourings of grief across the world.

This evening the Ilford-based British Pakistani Christian Association has organised a candlelit vigil event starting at 6.30pm at Ilford Town Hall.

Chairman of the association Wilson Chowdhry said: "The British Pakistani Christian Association condemns this act of pure evil.

"We also express our heartfelt solidarity with the victims’ families and with all who are mourning this devastating loss.

"As a charity we are saddened to hear of this condemnable news. It harks to a deep, disparaging xenophobia and innocent Muslims have been caught in the collateral of an ideological war that has gone too far.

"While people are entitled to challenge doctrines in any faith that they don’t agree with and while free speech is an important tenant of liberal democracies, the line must always be drawn at violent reprisal. Violence is never a solution."

Mr Chowdhury urged people to join him on the march, to come together in a show of solidarity and mourning.

British Pakistani Christian Association Australian volunteer Lara Hall said: "It deeply saddens me to hear of this sickening violence occurring on the quaint streets of Christchurch.

"It is utterly unacceptable and morally reprehensible. I admonish all acts of violence committed by people of any creed or indeed those without creed.

"I hope that instead of deepening the chasm between people from different faiths, we can show those that would destroy us that we are capable of transcending fear, hate and violence.

"Now is the time to stand hand in hand with the victims, their families and the community at large. Now is the time to reach out and offer a helping hand where needed. Now is the time to build bridges rather than tear them down."