Memories loom large for hero
A man hailed for saving lives after chasing off the gunman during the Christchurch mosque terror attack says the bloodshed remains a vivid memory two months on.
Abdul Aziz, 48, drew global headlines when it emerged that he pursued the mosque shooter away from Linwood Mosque armed with just an Eftpos card reader.
The Afghan refugee also picked up a semi-automatic rifle discarded by the fleeing gunman, and after trying to fire back realised it was out of ammunition and hurled it into the getaway car’s windscreen.
Since the tragedy, when 51 people were killed in the attacks during Friday prayers at Linwood and at Masjid Al Noor across town, Aziz has been trying to move on. He’s been keeping busy by helping repair and upgrade the wooden Linwood Mosque.
But even with a new paint job, high-tech security system, and imported carpet, memories of the tragedy are still vivid for Aziz and his fellow survivors.
“It takes time but we’re trying our best to move on,” he told the Herald yesterday.
Working with his fellow Muslims, and sharing stories, has helped him over the past eight weeks.
“It keeps us busy, and since we have a lot of friends here, we can talk and not think much about the pains we have. Everybody has these pains, and it’s a big help for us to be together.”
Aziz, who runs a second-hand furniture shop, met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday as he paid a visit to the city.
The UN chief laid a wreath and chatted with members of the congregation for more than 15 minutes.
Aziz said he was honoured to meet the UN boss.
“To come here and share the pain with us, it means a lot,” he said.
Five victims of the mosque attacks are still recovering in a stable condition at Burwood Hospital, a Canterbury District Health Board spokesman confirmed yesterday.