Imam Gamal Fouda, who was delivering the sermon in Christchurch's Al Noor Mosque when the gunman attacked last Friday, has returned to the pulpit a week later, delivering a powerful sermon to the large crowd gathered in Hagley Park.
During the attack on March 15, Fouda hid in the main prayer room until the gunman left the building. He has previously described the spray of bullets and smoke which filled the room during the terrifying ordeal.
At the Friday Jumu'ah - the weekly congregational prayer, which was moved outdoors and turned into an official call to prayer event - the largely silent crowd broke out into spontaneous applause as he spoke.
Below are excerpts from the sermon.
- Christchurch terror attack: Friday live updates
- New Zealand falls silent in tribute to terror victims
- Where to pay your respects to the Christchurch terror victims
- Full coverage of the Christchurch terror attack
"Brothers and sisters in Islam, brothers and sisters in humanity, brothers and sisters in New Zealand:
"Last Friday I stood in this mosque and saw hatred and rage in the eyes of the terrorist who killed and martyred 50 innocent people, wounded 42, and broke the hearts of millions around the world.
"Today, from the same place, I look out and I see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders, and human beings from across the globe, that fill the hearts of millions more that are not with us physically, but in spirit.
"This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart with an evil ideology that has torn the world apart.
"But instead we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable, and that the world can see in us."
"We are broken-hearted, but we are not broken.
"We are alive, we are together, we are determined to not let anyone divide us.
"We are determined to love one another and to support each other.
"This evil ideology of white supremacy did not strike us first, yet it has struck us hardest.
"The number of people killed is not ordinary, but the solidarity is extraordinary.
"To the families of the victims: your loved ones did not die in vain.
"Their blood has watered the seeds of hope. Through them the world will see the beauty of Islam, and the beauty of our unity."
"They were the best of us, taken from us on the best of days, in the best of places, and performing the best of actions. They are not just martyrs of Islam, but they are martyrs of this nation, New Zealand.
"Our loss of you is a gain to New Zealand's unity and strength. Your departure is an awakening, not just for our nation, but for all humanity. Your martyrdom is a new life for New Zealand and a chance of prosperity for many.
"Our assembly here with all the shades of our diversity is a testament of our joined humanity. We are here in our hundreds and thousands, unified for one purpose – that hate will be undone, and love will redeem us."
"To the people of New Zealand: thank you. Thank you for your tears. Thank you for your haka. Thank you for your flowers. Thank you for your love and compassion.
"To our Prime Minister: thank you. Thank you for your leadership. It has been a lesson for the world's leaders. Thank you for holding our families close, and honouring us with a simple scarf. Thank you for your words and tears of compassion. Thank you for being one with us.
"Thank you to the New Zealand Government, and to all the wonderful people who have shown us that we matter, and are not forgotten.
"Thank you to our police force and frontline services. You put our lives before your own every day.
"Thank you to the neighbours who opened their doors to save us from the killer.
"Thank you to those who pulled over their cars to help us.
"Thank you to those who brought us food and helped us when we found it difficult to stand.
"Thank you New Zealand, for teaching the world what it means to love and care.
"To my brothers and sisters, those who are here today to perform the weekly prayer. Thank you for coming together once again. It is easy to feel lost after the trauma you and I experienced. But the promise of Allah made to us is true."
"Thank you for anger that is restrained and your mercy that is overflowing. Thank you for your steadfastness."
"Islamophobia kills. Muslims have felt its pain for many years.
"Islamophobia is real. It is a targeted campaign to influence people to dehumanise and irrationally fear Muslims. To fear what we wear. To fear the choice of food we eat. To fear the way we pray and to fear the way we practise our faith.
"We call uon governments around the world, including New Zealand and the neighbouring countries, to bring an end to hate speech and the politics of fear.
"The martyrdom of 50 innocent people and the injury of 42 last Friday did not come overnight, it was the result of the anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim rhetoric by some political leaders, some media agencies and others.
"Last week's events are proof and evidence to the entire world that terrorism has no colour, has no race and has no religion. The rise of white supremacy and right wing extremism is a great global threat to mankind and this must end now.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank my Muslim and non-Muslim brothers and sisters for attending today. I would like also to thank our international guests who are with us, and have come to our support and aid in these difficult times."
"Oh Allah, have mercy upon us all. Oh, Allah, have mercy upon those who were massacred last week. Oh Allah, grant them the highest level of paradise. Oh Allah, grant the injured a speedy recovery and grant the families of the victims patience. Oh Allah, grand our nation and country peace, security and protect its people from all evils. Oh, Allah, grant the entire world peace, security and prosperity.
"Oh Allah, protect New Zealand and protect New Zealanders."
If you would like to donate to the official Victim Support fund, go here. Victim Support's number is 0800 842846. If you need to talk to someone about what you've read or seen in the past few days, call or text Need To Talk? on 1737.
