Solidarity for Peace: Live Updates

9.50am: Crowd begin to disperse as the event is about to come to an end.

9.40am: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa reads out the KL Peace Declaration 2019.

"With the rise of racial and religious hatred, we were shocked by the violent act and killing in Christchurch, New Zealand.

"The world must be shielded against the culture of hate that can lead to violent acts.

"Verily, any violent act should not be associated to any religion or ethnicity because violence has no religion and not begotten by any ethnicity.

"Hence, The Kuala Lumpur Peace Declaration 2019 affirms to the following:

1. Condemnation of any act of discrimination, violence and killing in the name of religion or ethnicity.

2. Total rejection of any act or culture based on hatred in the name of religion or ethnicity.

3. Supporting all efforts to foster peace and promote harmony amongst people of all ethnicities and religions.

4. Defending the sovereignty of our country from being destroyed by agents of racial and religious hatred.

5. In solidarity with the citizens of the world in developing an environment of peace and prosperity based on the recognition of diverse ethnicity and religion.

9.13am: Moderation advocate Anas Zubedy said Malaysians of all religions and races are here to walk for peace.

"We are together irrespective of religion and race.

"It is a very meaningful walk and I am very happy to be here," he said.

He added that the march for peace is important to show solidarity to the victims of the terrorist attack in New Zealand while fostering unity among Malaysians.

9.10am: Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Andrew Goledzinowski said while it was a great shame that one of its countrymen was behind the shooting in New Zealand, "he failed to separate peace loving people."

"If he wanted to separate us, the gathering here proves that he has failed miserably," he said when addressing participants at the "Solidarity for Peace" rally in Dataran Merdeka. 

8.58am: Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said he is proud that Malaysians of all races and religions came together for peace.

"The spirit of togetherness is evident today.

"It shows that Malaysians are all for peace no matter what differences we have.

"We should take heed of what happened in New Zealand when non-Muslims there wore headscarves in solidarity with their Muslim citizens," he said.

8.48am: Christian Federation of Malaysia chairman Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim said the voice of peace of Malaysians must drown out the voice of violence and hate.

"Today's walk is a solidarity for peace. I think it's a sign to all Malaysians that we love peace and harmony.

"As Malaysians, we must not only unite for unity but must also strengthen and forge closer relations among ourselves," he said.

8.35am: Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said Malaysians will stand as one to send a message of peace and reject all forms of hate.

"Peace is the main source of happiness in our lives which is highlighted in Islam and the Al-Quran."

8.07am: Groups begin to arrive in front of the stage at Dataran Merdeka.

7.51am: Marchers are heading to Dataran Merdeka with placards and banners calling for peace and shouting "Hidup, Hidup, Kedamaian (Long live peace)". Organisers start putting up balloons and set up the PA system.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Solidarity for Peace March started vibrantly with Malaysians of all races and religions gathered here to promote peace and harmony on Saturday (March 23).

The rally goers started to gather in front of Sogo shopping complex as early as 7.15am and began marching towards Dataran Merdeka at about 7.50am.

The event started at about 8.07am as marchers arrived at Dataran Merdeka and began singing the national anthem.

Among those in attendance were leaders of different religions and faith.

The Solidarity for Peace march is meant to show solidarity for the victims of the March 15 Christchurch terror attacks on two mosques that left 50 people dead and scores of others injured.