Christchurch marks anniversary of mosque shootings

CHRISTCHURCH: People in New Zealand’s Christchurch marks the first anniversary of mosque shooting that killed 51 worshipers exact a year ago (15 March 2019).

The people honoured the worshippers killed in mass shootings after a planned national memorial event was canceled due to the fears of the outbreak of coronavirus.

Dozens of leather-clad bikers from the Tu Tangata club performed a traditional Maori haka outside the Al Noor mosque. Imam of the Mosque – Gamal Fouda – welcomed the bikers and said that people of all beliefs and cultures were stopping to pay their respects, and they were all united as New Zealanders.

One of the survivors of the shooting at the Linwood mosque was Mazharuddin Syed Ahmed, who said, “Of course, we lost our loved friends, family, people and community,” adding, “But we are also seeing so much good has come out of it. So looking at the positive part of that. Today, it is such a privilege to be in this country.”

Temel Atacocugu, who survived after being shot nine times at the Al Noor mosque, said, “We are sad more than we are angry,” adding, “It’s very emotional. When I woke up this morning, I’m speechless. I can’t explain what I feel.”

Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern informed that the decision to cancel the memorial event planned for Horncastle Arena was a precautionary measure for coronavirus.

So far, New Zealand has had eight confirmed cases of COVID-19. All of those cases have been connected to people returning from abroad and so far there haven’t been signs of a local outbreak.