Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah was hailed a hero in the wake of the March 15, 2019 attacks - two years ago today - for saving lives at the Linwood mosque in Christchurch. Photo / George Heard
Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah was hailed a hero in the wake of the March 15, 2019 attacks - two years ago today - for saving lives at the Linwood mosque in Christchurch. Photo / George Heard
A mosque attacks hero who confronted the gunman and chased him away on March 15, 2019 has warned about "forgotten victims" being left behind.
Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah was hailed a hero in the wake of the March 15, 2019 attacks – two years ago today - for saving lives at the Linwood mosque in Christchurch.
He chased the rampaging shooter and drew gunfire from just metres away.
Desperate to defend himself, Wahabzadah grabbed an Eftpos-card reader and threw it at him before spearing a discarded gun through the fleeing gunman's car window.
The Afghani refugee had his incredible bravery acknowledged by a judge during the harrowing four-day sentencing of the Australian terrorist last August before he was jailed for life without parole.
Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah looked the gunman in the eyes. Photo / File
Wahabzadah attended Saturday's "We are one" national remembrance service at Christchurch Arena but came away feeling the "traumatised people" weren't properly represented.
Only deceased family members and bullet-wounded survivors have been technically classified as victims, and Wahabzadah says traumatised survivors, who were inside the mosques but avoided being shot, should also be counted alongside them.
"We call them forgotten victims… that hurts a lot," he said after the memorial service, claiming that nobody from the traumatised category had been asked to speak.
"They never called any of them to come and just [say] thanks to the Government, thanks to the police, thanks to all the doctors, ambulances, nurses, all the local people helping us on that day – we should've been given the chance to say thanks to them as well."
Many of who Wahabzadah called the "traumatised people" who number almost 200 stayed away from the service, he claimed.
Wahabzadah says more counselling and offers of support is needed for the "mentally wounded".
"They always try to sweep us under the carpet – that's the thing that hurts me a lot," he says.
"They should treat every the same."
A memorial service was held at Christchurch Arena on Saturday for the anniversary of the March 15, 2019 attack. Photo / George Heard
Wahabzadah was hailed for his bravery after the attacks. But the trauma of what he experienced has started hitting him more now than ever before.
When he closes his eyes, he often sees images of the dead and wounded in his mind.
He tried counselling a few times but afterwards, he felt even worse than before.
"It's not easy," he admits.
He tries to keep busy and takes solace with the brotherhood of the Linwood Islamic Centre.
