The Canberra Muslim Community has condemned the "barbaric killings" at mosques in Christchurch and has called for respect and support.
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The wider community has rallied, placing flowers and notes outside mosques and the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra. Other religious leaders and politicians have expressed their sympathies directly to the Muslim community and in posts on social media.
A post on the Gungahlin Mosque Facebook page on Friday evening said the Canberra Muslim Community "condemns in the strongest possible terms the shootings and killing of innocent Muslims" in New Zealand.
"We condemn terrorism in all its forms, regardless of its source, and that terrorism has no religion and no homeland."
"We stress our position that religions should be respected."
"Canberra is a beautiful and wonderful multicultural community and let's keep it that way. Let's be respectful to each other and support each other in time of our needs."
The post thanked the police for taking part in a community forum at the mosque on Friday night, and other religious leaders and community members who had shown their support.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said there is no place in Canberra for the abhorrent views apparently behind the New Zealand attack.
"On behalf of Canberrans, I share our deepest sympathies for those affected by this devastating terrorist attack in Christchurch. At this tragic time, our thoughts are with all New Zealanders," Mr Barr said in a statement.
"We, as Canberrans, know our city is a progressive and inclusive place to live, and that diversity has enriched our city. There is no place here for the abhorrent views apparently behind this attack. All Canberrans have a right to feel safe in their places of worship. We stand with our Muslim community members at this time and offer our ongoing support."
Mr Barr said he was confident that under New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the country would remain united and stay strong during this difficult time.
ACT Opposition leader Alistair Coe also expressed his support.
"I hope we can all support the brothers and sisters in the Muslim community at this very sad time," Mr Coe said.
The Canberra Islamic Centre posted a series of messages from the Canberra community on Facebook on Saturday morning, including a note from the Canberra Interfaith Forum which said "any attack on any of you is an attack on each of us".
The Uniting Church in Australia also offered prayers and support to those affected.
"We are deeply distressed to hear of the shootings at the Deans Avenue Mosque and the Linwood Masjid in Christchurch, New Zealand," a Facebook post said.
"As people of faith our hearts go out to our Muslim sisters and brothers. An attack on people of faith is an attack on us all, who seek to worship in safety and peace."
At least 49 people were killed in a terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand on Friday, with one of the massacres live-streamed on the internet.
One of the shooters, who filmed the attack using a headcam, was Brenton Tarrant from Grafton in New South Wales. He described himself in a chilling 74-page manifesto as “just an ordinary white man, 28 years old”.
ACT Policing is stepping up patrols around mosques in Canberra but had advised the Muslim community there is no current threat.
