By Tim Brown of RNZ
Canterbury’s Muslim community will today gather to commemorate the Christchurch mosque shootings.
On March 15, 2019, a gunman opened fire at Masjid Annur and the Linwood Islamic Centre.
Within about a quarter of an hour, he had massacred or mortally wounded 51 worshippers.
Dozens more were injured.
This year’s fifth anniversary falls on Jumu’ah - the mandatory Islamic Friday prayer.
It was that occasion five years ago that the terrorist targeted.
Abdur Razzaq, of the Federation of Islamic Associations, said today was a solemn but important day.
“It’s a very, very important day. But let’s not forget, for the survivors and whānau the trauma is ongoing - it’s every day, not just on March 15th,” he said.
The day would be commemorated by Muslims throughout the country.
In Christchurch, worshippers would mark Jumu’ah ahead of a commemoration service at Masjid Annur in the evening.
It would be attended by the communities of both mosques, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, opposition leader Chris Hipkins, Sir William Young - who chaired the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks, as well as representatives from government agencies and local schools and first responders.
“It will be to respect and remember the shuhada and the survivors,” Razzaq said.
There were three themes underlying the event - the wellbeing and welfare of survivors and the memory of the shuhada (the martyrs of the attack); remembering and reaffirming the aroha shown by the wider New Zealand community in response to the attack; and to remember the lessons learned.
“We have to understand that hate is out there. We have to work through our differences, but diversity is important - it provides a rich tapestry for our culture in New Zealand. We have to appreciate each other’s differences and respect that,” Razzaq said.
Recalling the support and outpouring of grief from New Zealand in response to the attack was also very important, he said.
“It was actually the start of the healing process.
“It brought the whole of New Zealand together and it’s not only enduring, but also very much endearing for all of us.”
The support of Aotearoa was also at the forefront of Farid Ahmed’s mind.
Ahmed was a survivor of the shooting at Masjid Annur, but his wife was killed in the attack.
He commanded international respect and recognition in the wake of the terror attack by publicly forgiving the gunman and calling for everyone to follow a path of peace and forgiveness.
Today’s commemorations were an opportunity to remember the victims and the way the tragedy brought the country together, Ahmed said.
“New Zealand has made a remarkable example after 15 March and they have become world champions in compassion.
“Those are the things that even today move me and tomorrow it will move me, and I know that this is the feeling of our Muslim community.”
He was also proud of the example set by Muslims around Aotearoa and in Christchurch in particular.
“After the great pain and suffering they took, they have done the right thing and the right thing is they took the path of peace - without any violence, without hate for hate, without cruelty for cruelty,” Ahmed said.
“They have also shown their compassion. That we can go through the pain, but we should do the right thing.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks.
“March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Luxon said.
“Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada – the martyrs who were unjustly targeted for their beliefs, and to those who were injured.
“We remember the great courage and compassion from our Muslim community, that continues to this day.
“We pay tribute to everyone across both New Zealand and internationally who rallied together to provide comfort and support in this time of need.”
People in New Zealand should be able to go about their lives without fear, Ms Collins says.
“We will ensure we’ve learnt the lessons from the Royal Commission of Inquiry and made the necessary changes.
The 36-year-old died on December 19.