Christchurch, New Zealand
Reuters
FLOWERS, MESSAGES OF SUPPORT ADORN MOSQUE
Aya al-Umari looks at the bunches of flowers and reads messages of support outside the Al Noor mosque, tributes left for the victims of the Christchurch shootings a year on from the attacks.
Al-Umari’s brother Hussein, 35, was was one of 51 Muslim worshippers killed when a gunman opened fire at the city’s Al Noor and Linwood mosques.
“We live it day in and day out,” she told Reuters, holding back tears as she explained she could not bring herself to enter the mosque.
“A year on anniversary is a great way for us to come together as a community and reflect on the incident that took the lives of many people and ultimately my brother too.”
Aya Al-Umari, sister of mosque attack victim Hussein Al-Umari, poses outside Al Noor Mosque on 13th March, 2020. PICTURE: Reuters/Martin Hunter
Among the tributes outside the Al Noor mosque were signs reading “We may be small, but we are strong” and “We love you!”
Adele Carroll and her husband Des came to the Al Noor mosque to donate a prayer mat and an Islamic clock.
“We felt we should do this. Having lived abroad with several Muslim and Arab friends, we were hurt by what had happened here,” Carroll said. “We are all one…it doesn’t matter what religion or race you are. We just could not believe this could happen in our country.”
Across the city, hundreds of people attended a private prayer service at a civic centre. The turnout was lower than expected as many stayed away due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, a factor that may also impact a memorial service planned for Sunday.
“One year has passed, but for us, it just feels like yesterday,” Abdul Aziz, who was hailed by local media for trying to stop the shooter, said outside the prayer service.
Taj Mohammad Kamran, who was shot in the leg and lost his friend, said it has been a very tough year: “But today, I feel more strong.”
– PRAVEEN MENON and STEFICA NICOL BIKES, Reuters
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday the country has “fundamentally changed” since last year’s Christchurch shootings, as the coronavirus pandemic loomed over a planned weekend memorial.
Ardern said the Sunday event to mark the anniversary of the attack on two mosques that killed 51 people was still scheduled to go ahead, but acknowledged that could change quickly if the coronavirus situation worsened.
New Zealand has reported five cases of the virus, none due to local transmission, but Ardern said she will likely announce new border restrictions next week.
New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson cancelled a trip to Canberra on Friday to meet with his Australian counterpart, opting to talk over Skype instead.
In an emotional media conference in Christchurch, Ardern said engagement with the Muslim community had grown since the massacre at the Al Noor and Linwood mosquesa year ago, but the country needs to continue calling out racism and challenging the growing threat from far-right groups.
“A year on, I believe in New Zealand people have fundamentally changed,” Ardern said in the South Island’s largest city.
“The challenge for us would be ensuring that in our every day action, and at every opportunity when we see bullying, harassment, racism and discrimination, we call it out as a nation.”
Brenton Tarrant, an Australian national, faces 92 charges in relation to the attacks. He has pleaded not guilty and faces trial in June.
Hundreds of people gathered at the two mosques and at a closed prayer service at a community centre on Friday.
Ardern was praised globally for her response to the mass shooting, after she outlawed weapons used in the attack within weeks and launched a global campaign for government and tech companies to combat online hate.
Ardern said more than 60,000 prohibited firearms were handed in under a gun amnesty. However, her plans to further tighten gun laws, including the creation of a registery, stalled this week due to resistance from opposition parties and gun lobbies.
Officials have stepped up security for the memorial events, which are expected to be attended by thousands, after a new threat was reported last week against the Al Noor mosque.
