Vase of flowers tribute

This vase of flowers was sent from Sāmoa and left as a tribute at the Wellington Islamic Centre / Kilbirnie Mosque in the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks on 15 March 2019. The Masjid Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre were attacked by a heavily armed white supremacist during Friday prayer on 15 March, killing 51 people and wounding 40 more. The victims ranged from three years old to 78.

There was an instant outpouring of grief and messages of love and solidarity throughout New Zealand and around the world. Thousands of floral tributes and messages were laid outside mosques and at community gathering points. The International Muslim Association of New Zealand (IMAN), which oversees the Kilbirnie mosque, carefully looked after every single message.

Flowers are often given items in times of mourning and remembrance, whether freshly cut, artificial, or as images. This vase contains artificial cloth and woven pandanus / flax flowers and is covered in tapa with handwritten messages in Samoan and English: 'All the way from Samoa alofa’aga e tele mo le Muslim Community Alofa atu mo outou uma' and 'Our Muslim Communities With Love and Respect to all of you'. The shoulder of the vase includes a number of messages: Kia Kaha, Alofa Atu, Love and Aroha. The tapa cloth on the body of vase is decorated with a floral motif.

This vase is a response from the wider Pacific region, uniquely Sāmoan, and an object that gives us a starting point for a conversation into the diverse responses to the Christchurch attacks specifically, but also to wider themes of race, religion and identity.

Such material culture and messaging is often seen in the wake of mass violence. They are touching and provide comfort, but are temporary. The work of addressing and challenging racism, Islamophobia and white supremacy in our history and everyday life continues.