Victorians mourn NZ victims at vigil

Hundreds of Victorian Muslims and supporters have gathered in Melbourne to remember the victims of terrorist attacks at two mosques in New Zealand.

People lay flowers and lit candles on the steps of the Victorian state library on Monday evening ahead of a vigil organised by the Islamic Council of Victoria in honour of the victims of the Christchurch attacks.

Founder and CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Kon Karapanagiotidis described the gathering as being "filled with a deep sense of love, solidarity and community".

"We need to take moments of solidarity like tonight at #Christchurch Vigil & build a coalition of compassion & unity that is ready to protect, mobilise & stand up for each other," he tweeted.

Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian and other religious leaders addressed the crowd, as did Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Governor of Melbourne Linda Dessau.