Carthage College holds vigil for victims of New Zealand Mosque attacks

KENOSHA, Wis. -- (CBS58) The Carthage college community came together in wake of the recent mosque attacks in New Zealand.

Students and staff gathered for a powerful moment Tuesday  night as they lit lanterns to remember the more than 50 people killed in that attack two and a half weeks ago.

Organizers said the vigil was to show solidarity with Muslims in the community and around the world.

Since the attacks students said there's been an outpouring of support on campus.

“It has been very accepting,” said Jasaad Ahmed of the Student Muslim Association at Carthage. “People have been very open. I've received people asking questions. They have wanted to understand what Islam is about [and] what it means to be a Muslim.”

Ahmed said now is the time to come together no matter what religion or what background.

“For our fellow brothers and sisters Jews, Atheism, Agnostic, Hindus [and] Sikhs - we're all humans,” Ahmed said. “We're all god's creation.”

This is just one of several vigils our community has held in the days since the attacks.