RNZ, Christchurch, March 29, 2019
Heads were bowed and tears shed in silence as the names of the 50 victims of the terror attacks two weeks ago were read out at a Remembrance Service attended by tens of thousands of people in Christchurch and many more across the country today.
On Friday, March 15, 2019, people gathered at Masjid Al Noor on Deans Avenue in Christchurch for Jumu’ah Prayers. At 140 pm, a lone gunman shot dead many worshippers before driving across town to the Mosque in Linwood, killing more.
Names read out
During today’s event, called ‘Ko tātou, Tātou (‘We are one’), the names of the 50 victims of the terror attacks on Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Mosque were read aloud by members of the Muslim community Interfaith Society.
As the names were read out, tears were quietly shed by children and adults alike. Some people held hands, others embraced each other.
Where last week’s prayers in the Park were raw and full of open emotion, today’s remembrance with a crowd of at least 23,000 people at Hagley Park – and hundreds more at events broadcast around the country – was more formal and subdued.
It was attended by dignitaries from 59 countries and featured performances from Marlon Williams, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Holly Smith and Teeks.
Tears Avenge Death
The Remembrance today at 10 am with a Karanga by Ngāi Tūāhuriri Kuia Aroha Rereti-Crofts, Hutika Crofts, Reimoana Crofts and Lunne Te Aika.
“In our custom, we allocate a time for our people to grieve and to sit with the spirit of the dead to release their pain,” Julian Wilcox, Head of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Master of Ceremonies said.
“We have a saying, ‘Tears avenge Death’ – but we also understand that there is a world where pain no longer exists, where the soul dies, where it is numb and beyond feeling, and we call this world ‘Te Kore’, the world of nothing.
“It is the task of our women who you hear keening to call to you, and to call you back into the world of light which we have now – to call you back to the world of pain and joy.”
Survivor speaks
The longest and loudest applause though, was for Farid Ahmed, a survivor of the attacks whose wife was killed.
He maintained that he loves and forgives the attacker. “All the thanks and praise to the Lord of the Universe, may peace and mercy be upon all. I am beginning in the name of Allah, the kind and merciful,” he said.
“I want a heart that will be full of love and care and full of mercy and will forgive lavishly. This heart doesn’t want any more lives to be lost. This heart doesn’t like that the pain I have gone through … that any human being should go through that kind of pain.
“That is why I have chosen peace, I have chosen love and I have forgiven.”
He said he wanted to offer his prayer for those who had died, but also for those who survived.
“Do not say about those who are killed in the worship of Allah that they are dead, they are alive. Their soul is alive. People who are killed in their worship are in Paradise.
“Their body is going to be perished but their souls are not going to be perished… they are being hospitalised by Allah the Merciful.
“I would like to offer my sincere prayers for the people who have been killed but also for the people who have survived. I would also like to offer my prayers for the people of New Zealand for safety and security and I would also like to offer my prayer for the people in this world for peace and happiness.
“If our heart is full of love then peace will start from here,” he said, indicating his heart.
Governor General Patsy Reddy
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy spoke of the need to be courageous and speak out against discrimination and racism. She said silence was not enough.
“It condones the thinking that can encourage everything from casual acts of racism to acts of violence. When more of us stand up to confront lazy assumptions, prejudice and wilful ignorance, the easier it will be to drive away such unacceptable behaviour.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke to the crowd of the threat of extremism.
“The world has been stuck in a vicious cycle of extremism breeding extremism and it must end,” she said, bringing applause.
“We cannot confront these issues alone, none of us can. The answer to them lies in a simple concept, that is not bound by domestic borders, that isn’t based on ethnicity, power base or even forms of government. The answer lies in our humanity.
“But for now, we will remember the tears of our nation and the new resolve we have formed.”
Mayor Lianne Dalziel
Christchurch City Mayor Lianne Dalziel said she wanted to thank those gathered for sharing their grief.
“And thank you for helping restore our faith in humanity.”
She said that she wanted to everyone to collectively express gratitude to all those who played an extraordinary role in the response to the attacks including police and other first responders, the community, coroners, council staff, funeral directors and many others.
“And we honour the Imams for their inspiring leadership.”
She said the attacks have provoked people to ask hard questions of themselves, but Christchurch was a City of Peace and it would not be defined by the events of 15 March.
Shaggaf Khan
Muslim Association of Canterbury President Shaggaf Khan also addressed the crowd.
“On behalf of the local Muslim community in Christchurch, I stand before you today with a mix of feelings. I feel deeply saddened – I’m saddened that when I look for them I can no longer see the beautiful faces of the 50 men and women and children who lived among us only 14 days ago. “Although our eyes shed tears and our hearts mourn, we know that they are at peace. I feel incredibly humble. I am humbled by the outpouring of grief that you have shared with us,” he said.
As well as sadness and humility, he said he was also proud of how the country had responded.
“I feel ultimately hopeful that as a community, as a people, as a nation, we are clear about the path we want to walk… I am proud. From this callousness, how much compassion has been shown; from this despair, how much hope as sprung. Of this darkness, how much light has spread.”
Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)
Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, said that love and unity are the basis of all religions.
“Our prayers go to those shining souls whose lives were snatched away in that moment of madness, may peace be upon them, peace in this world may take a bit longer.”
Stevens, who converted to Islam in 1977, sang two songs, including his famous Anthem, ‘Peace Train.’
Around the Country
Around the country, people gathered in Blenheim, Mount Maunganui, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Whanganui to watch a live stream of the service.
Whanganui councillor Josh Chandulal-MacKay said 50 lives were taken in a heinous way and it was important to commemorate as a community.
Whanganui Islamic Association President Mukarram Mairaj thanked the attendees and people across the country for their outpouring of support.
Similar events planned for Ngaruawahia and Gore were cancelled because of security concerns.
