Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley shared words of assurance Friday after 50 people were killed and another 50 were wounded in coordinated massacres at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“Respected brothers and sisters, this a very difficult and disturbing time for all of us and we must work together for the safety and security of our community,” Danish Saeed, president, wrote on the group’s Facebook page. “We pray to Allah to protect us all the time and give Jannat ul Firdoos to Shuhada’s in New Zealand.

“I want to reassure our community that we have been discussing the security issues at our masjid for some time,” Saeed continued. “We have ideas and steps to take immediately. Insha Allah, till we get our plans implemented we will keep Police presence in our Masjid. We’re also coordinating with all the Masajids and places of worship in our Area and local law enforcement agencies.”

A 28-year-old white supremacist from Australia, identified as Brenton Harrison Tarrant, has been arrested and charged with murder in the attack. Another man, 18, has been charged with “intent to excite hostility or ill-will.”

Prior to the killings, Tarrant shared a 74-page manifesto to social media; he emailed it to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other lawmakers as well.

Using a helmet camera, Tarrant also live streamed the attack.

In addition to hosting a news conference Friday, the Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley and other Islamic organizations in the community will hold a United For Peace candlelight vigil at Seventh and Hamilton streets Sunday to remember the victims of the shooting. The vigil is scheduled to take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The public has also been invited to attend a Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley open house on April 26, at the association’s mosque on Schadt Ave. in Whitehall.

“Places of worship should be sanctuaries, where those at prayer feel safe,” Bishop Alfred Schlert, Diocese of Allentown, said in a statement issued Saturday. “An attack on one religious community is an attack on every faithful person in the world.

“The Catholic community in the Diocese of Allentown joins in prayer with the Muslim community, and with all people of good will, to overcome hatred and disregard for human life.”