‘A million hugs, a million tears’
THE WOMAN ON OUR COVER SHARES HER LOVE AND GRIEF
As Jacinda Ardern wrapped her arms around Wellington’s Naima Abdi, tears fell down the young Somalia-born mother’s face.
Still shocked and grieving from the tragedy that had beset Christchurch just 48 hours earlier, the mum of three boys was intent on making everyone who visited Kilbirnie Mosque that day feel welcome.
As visitors filed into the forecourt to add bouquets to floral tributes carpeting the steps of the house of worship in remembrance of the victims of the Christchurch terror attack, Naima found herself giving a warm greeting to our country’s leader.
Adorned in a black headscarf, new mum Jacinda embraced the 30-year-old as she passed through the gates with her partner, Clarke Gayford, on the Sunday afternoon following the March 15 tragedy.
“That was quite an emotional time,” says Naima. “I needed that as much as she did.”
Naima, who arrived in New Zealand 11 years ago under a partnership visa with her former husband, tells the Weekly that as the pair hugged tightly, Jacinda offered words of comfort that gave hope in the darkest of days.
“She said, ‘We’ll get through this together.’”
Reeling from the shock of losing three people from the close-knit Somali community, including the youngest fatality Mucaad Ibrahim (3), Naima confesses she had to summon all her courage to leave her house and volunteer that day.
“At first it was quite shocking, it didn’t look real,” she recalls of the horror that unfolded in Christchurch.
“The whole of Saturday, I was in shock and tears. I didn’t leave my house. Then on Sunday, I managed to gather courage and thought, ‘I have to be there. I have to show my support to my community.’”
Described by visitors to the mosque as bringing a heartfelt welcome to everyone, Naima is still moved to tears thinking about the love shown to the grieving Islamic community that day.
“Every person who came along was crying. Every time I saw a new face, there were tears. I got a million hugs and shed a million tears.”
She says it was her job to make sure the people coming to honour the near 100 men, women and children who were killed or wounded in the massacre at the two mosques were able to feel free to express
their support. “Some people felt uncomfortable and unwelcome or guilty. I was at the door telling them, ‘Don’t be shy or ashamed – it’s not your fault. You are welcome.’
“The Prime Minister happened to be one of the guests and she felt the pain too, and embraced me.”
Naima also greeted the Governor-General, Dame Patsy Reddy, with the pair hugging and smiling, before the Queen’s representative laid flowers on the steps, taking a moment to honour those who’d lost their lives.
Since writing about the encounter with Jacinda on social media, Naima has been showered with supportive comments, including one that read, “It is a privilege to have someone with your grace and acceptance living in our country. You are us.”
Even so, she remains concerned at undercurrents of racism she faces in everyday life and would like to see these challenged by everyone who is standing with her community in the wake of the attacks.
“Racism is there. It happens a lot of the time, especially if you’re a Muslim woman. We are distinct from everyone else and it really affects us emotionally.
“People should acknowledge we are human too.”
Yet Naima, who hopes to one day go to university, says there is goodness in so many Kiwis. “People see the Prime Minister, but there are kind gestures from all New Zealanders.”
These have ranged from getting free coffees at her local café to having the fee waived at a medical centre.
After facing such a grim time filled with heartache and loss, Naima, who has volunteered for the ChangeMakers Refugee Forum, which helps refugee families integrate into communities, was invited to the first sitting of Parliament since the terror attack to witness the House opening for the first time with a
Muslim prayer.
Adding how much she appreciates her adopted home and the vibrant Wellington community, Naima’s wish for the future is filled with peace.
“I am a proud New Zealander. There is nowhere else I would call home and feel safe than New Zealand.”