Vigils for the victims of shootings at two mosques in New Zealand have taken place across in the UK, amid an outpouring of support for Britain's Muslim community.

Early on Friday morning (March 15) 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.

On Friday evening the Ilford-based British Pakistani Christian Association has organised a candlelit vigil event 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."

The candlelit vigil on display was organised in the shape of a crescent moon and star with exactly 49 tealights to honour the 49 victims of the horrific attack.

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.

"May we stand firmly with the targets of hate and extend an outstretched hand of love in their hour of need."

"The idea underscoring terrorism is to eviscerate bonds, divide and conquer us but let us be better than this – let us unify against acts of violence and stand together as one in solidarity against violence."