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The 51 worshipers killed in the Christchurch mosque attacks nearly two years ago by a white supremacist have been remembered at a national service with songs, prayers, speeches and promises to rebuild the community.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor General Patsy Reddy joined some 1,000 community members at Christchurch’s Horncastle Stadium on Saturday for the service.
The centerpiece of the service was reading the names of the dead as their images were displayed on a large screen along with descriptions provided by their families.
“Charming and always helpful from the bottom of her heart to others. Brave and loyal until his last breath ”, read the dedication to Hussein Al-Umari, who died trying to confront the terrorist, the Australian Brenton Tarrant, in the Al Noor mosque.
In the March 15, 2019, attacks, Tarrant killed 44 people at Al Noor Mosque during Friday prayers before driving to Linwood Mosque, where he killed seven others.
The 30-year-old man pleaded guilty last year to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
On Saturday, representatives of bereaved families, young people affected, injured and the community gave speeches to those gathered.
Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times in the face, arms and legs, delivered a speech on behalf of the wounded, according to Stuff. He said that March 15, 2019 was the day that “marked history with a dark stain.”
He said the victims were “proud Cantabrians and New Zealanders, it’s us” and described how he managed to escape from the Al Noor mosque with a friend.
“The 200-meter walk to the ambulance was the longest and most difficult road I have ever taken. I sat on the ground next to an ambulance … my body filled with pain and fear. I kept thinking about my two children, my mother, my brothers and all the people I love ”. She wept as she remembered the moment when three-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim’s father was told that he had died.
Maha Elmadani, whose father, Ali Mah’d Elmadani, was among the dead, said that the dead were loving fathers, mothers, brothers and children. “They had a lot to give to this land, they were proud Kiwis and we were lucky to have them in our lives.”
She said that living a life of principle was as important as remembering the dead: “Spread goodness. Spread kindness. That is what they have taught us ”.
Amid the personal tributes, there were also calls for more action.
Kiran Munir, who lost her husband, Haroon Mahmood, said there was an “urgent need for well-defined laws for hate crimes and hate speech,” as recommended by the royal commission in the attack and as promised by Ardern during the election campaign last year.
“The gaps and flaws in the system of our society are exposed in the report of the royal commission,” he said.
“There is still a long way to go to make sure that nothing like this happens again. Even so, the wound that is bandaged and cared for will heal much faster and better than the one that is not cared for. Thanks Aotearoa and the five million dollar team for being our bandage ”.
Ardern was the last to speak, dressed not in a hijab as she did in the days after the attack to show her support, but in a korowai, a Maori cape that symbolizes leadership.
She said that while trying to prepare the words to say at the service, she was “at a loss,” according to Stuff.
“Much has been said, but words, despite their healing power, will never change what happened that day. Words will not bring back those men, women and children who gathered in their place of worship, quietly and peacefully, when they were captured in an act of terror.
He also vowed to continue fighting racism.
“In the aftermath of the terrorist attack I heard the stories of women who were frequently harassed because they were easily identifiable,” she said.
“From children whose first experiences of racism are on the school grounds. We have to ask ourselves, what does it take to create a generation that is emphatic but strong? “
