Musician Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, will be among the performers at New Zealand's national remembrance service for the victims of the Christchurch mosque attack, it's been announced.
The memorial event on Friday will mark two weeks since the shootings that killed 50 worshippers and hurt 50 more as they prayed this month.
Organisers on Wednesday revealed Yusuf Islam will be among those taking the stage at the event, along with a cast of highly regarded local musicians.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has called on communities around the country and world to come together for the day.
"The outpouring of love and support shown to our Muslim brothers and sisters has been heartfelt and has been received in the spirit in which it has been offered," she said.
"It is in coming together as one, standing shoulder to shoulder, that gives expression to this unity and that's what will see us through."
In the past weeks, foreign dignitaries have visited Christchurch to pay their respects, including delegations from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan's Crown Prince El Hassan bin Talal, who prayed at the al Noor mosque, where the first gunfire broke out.
More representations will be made on Friday, including from Australia and the British royal family.
An emotional commemoration last week saw New Zealanders in the city and around the country lock arms around mosques to protect those going inside to pray.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - who has won praise in many parts of the world for her handling of the aftermath of the attack - said Friday would be "a chance to once again show that New Zealanders are compassionate, inclusive and diverse, and that we will protect those values".
British songwriter Stevens converted to Islam and changed his name in the 1970s, putting music aside for philanthropic work for nearly three decades.
Australian Associated Press