‘We Are One’: Two years on NZ remembers Chch terror attack
Today marks the second anniversary of the Christchurch terror attack — one of the darkest days in New Zealand’s history where 51 people were murdered as they gathered to pray.
On Saturday a national remembrance service was held to mark the occasion, but instead of focusing on the sorrow and tragedy the theme was one of unity, hope and love.
On March 15, 2019 a gunman stormed into the Al Noor Mosque and then the Linwood Islamic Centre and opened fire on men, women and children who were at Friday prayer.
By the end of his rampage 51 people had suffered fatal gunshot wounds and a further 40 were injured.
The gunman later pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one count of terrorism. He was jailed for life, with no possibility of parole.
Saturday’s service was scheduled to go ahead in March last year to mark the first anniversary of the massacre, but due to Covid-19 it was cancelled.
About 500 VIPs attended on Saturday — including victims and survivors and their families.
About 100 members of the public were also there after booking seats for the heavily secured service. It was also livestreamed across the world.
The programme was put together with input from those most affected by the attacks, including survivors and families of the victims.
Mayor welcomes, remembers
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel was the first official speaker, acknowledging the families and friends of the victims.
“You and they are in our hearts forever,” she said.
“I acknowledge all those who were injured on that day and everyone who was traumatised by what they saw and experienced . . . I thank those who have shared their stories. I know how painful that can be.
“However, a seed of understanding is planted each time such a story is shared. And it is with understanding that we see that differences sometimes mask all that we have in common. And it is all that we have in common — our shared humanity — that brings us together in times of need and again today.”
Dalziel said the unity in the community since the attack was heartwarming.
“No longer strangers, we are neighbours in the true sense of the word,” she said. “We can all be proud of how we responded and how we supported each other with kindness and compassion.”
She wanted to keep the unity alive and urged people to see “differences as strength” and to “embrace our shared humanity”.
A widow speaks
Linwood Islamic Centre Imam Alabi Leef recited a Muslim invocation and then Kiran Munir spoke on behalf of the bereaved families.
Munir’s husband Haroon Mahmood was killed in the attack.
“Two years have passed by, we gather here to remember the 51 beautiful souls,” she said.
Munir said her husband would forever be remembered: “He was the love of my life and will always be . . . my husband and my extraordinary soulmate. He aimed to accomplish so much in life . . . ”
She remembered the day of “horrendous act of hate and terror”.
Her husband’s smile as he left home that day “still echoes” in her mind.
“Little did I know that the next time I would see him his body and soul would not be together, little did I know that the darkest day in New Zealand’s history had dawned.
“We felt our lives were meaningless after losing a wonderful husband and father. I constantly think of all the precious lives that were lost all the stories that were left unfinished ...
“Everyone was so special, so valuable and so heroic . . . Their legacy will always remain . . . they will live forever in all of us.”
She said the aroha and care shown after the attack was appreciated.
But now it was important for everyone to play their part in improving New Zealand for the better.
“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy . . . we are learning to rise up again with dignity and move forward as best we can,” she said.
“There’s still a long way to go to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
“Racism has no face, no space, no place — we are one human race.”
A portrait of devastation
Those who died were honoured in a portrait of remembrance on screen and their names read.
A minute of silence was observed when the names had been read.
Survivor Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times, took to the stage to speak on behalf of the injured, and Faisal Sayed for other victims.
Atacocugu said the terror attack marked history with a dark stain.
“The victims were not foreigners, they were and are proud Cantabrians and New Zealanders — they are us,” he said.
“It is a miracle I am alive . . . four bullets in my left leg, one in my right, three in my left arm and another one in my mouth.
“I have seven major surgeries and there are more to come — I will carry shrapnel in my body for the rest of my life.
“Every time I have an x-ray it lights up like a Christmas tree.”
He said many of his wounds would never fully heal but he was a “strong, stubborn Turkish Kiwi” who had been brought up to battle on.
“And that is what I will do.” He recalled walking wounded 200m to the ambulance after he was shot: “Filled with pain and fear I kept thinking of my two sons, my mother, my siblings and all the people I love.”
A man sat beside him cradling his small son.
“The paramedics told him that his son was dead . . . there was nothing they could do for him,” he said, breaking down in tears.
“Suddenly my own pain felt insignificant, my heart wept for them.
“I still go to Al Noor each week for prayers and I see that father with a big smile on his face — he is a remarkable man.”
Atacocugu said the terror attack was driven by racism that fed hatred and hostility.
“It is the worst enemy of peace . . . the only cure for it is the love of humanity,” he said.
“Whoever claims racism is not one of us, whoever fights for racism is not one of us, whoever dies for racism is not one of us.”
He thanked everyone who helped him and the other worshippers on the day of the attack and beyond.
He said the pain would never be erased: “We will never be the same, however the future is in our hands — we will go on and we will be positive together.”
Sayed recited the words of the national anthem and said while we had lost 51 souls, many dreams, many smiles and laughter we did not lose hope.
“Hope to see a nation that is without any fear, that is without any judgment and hate,” he said.
“We are hurt but we are hopeful. We live in a land where people are considered the most important thing.”
He said he had great hopes for his family and was a proud Muslim and Kiwi.
But he wanted everyone to work hard to eradicate hatred.
“We owe it to our kids, there’s a long way to go. It requires all of us.”
He thanked the Prime Minister for her leadership after the attack, for helping to unite the community.
“You changed people’s hearts . . . so thank you for that.
“Men of every creed and race . . . God defend New Zealand.”
Al Noor Imam Gamal Fouda said no one could have imagined that a terror attack would happen in New Zealand.
“Over the last two years we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable,” he said. “We are here today to reconfirm the same message — we are together, we are one.”
The victims were not foreigners, they were and are proud Cantabrians and New Zealanders -- they are us. Attack survivor Temel Atacocugu (right)
Governor-General, PM speak
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy acknowledged the loss of “precious loved ones”.
“We grieve for you all, we cry. “New Zealanders were deeply shocked by the cruel slaughter . . . we searched for words to express our outrage and our sorrow.
“We wept for the victims as we learned their names . . . read stories about their lives, we listened to tributes from those who knew them. “The loss has cut deeply.” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke last, saying the lives of the 51 were taken in “the most tragic and horrific way”.
“Words will never change what happened that day.
“Words will not remove the fear that descended over the Muslim community in the days, weeks and months that followed.
“Words will not take away the trauma . . . words cannot perform miracles, but they do have the power to heal.
“That means using our words to acknowledge the lives that were lost . . . our duty is to remember not only what has been taken but who your loved ones were and what they gave to the community.”