Families of victims share their two years of grief and grit
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Christchurch, March 13, 2021
Survivors and family members of the victims of the Christchurch terror attack told a public remembrance service that their lives will never be the same, but they are learning to rise up again with dignity.
The ‘Ko Tatou Tatou’ (We Are One) event at the Christchurch Arena, held this afternoon (Saturday, March 13, 2021) to mark two years since the Christchurch terror attack (March 15, 2019) was intended as a way for all New Zealanders to show solidarity with those affected.
Miracle keeps Temel Atacocugu alive
Speaking for those injured in the attack, Temel Atacocugu said that it was a miracle that he is alive.
“I was shot nine times. Four bullets in my left leg, one in my right leg, three in my left arm and another one in my mouth. The bullet in my mouth was stopped on its way to my brain, only because of a dental bridge made by a Turkish dentist a long time ago. I have since had seven major surgeries and there are more to come. I will carry lots of shrapnels 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.
Mr Atacocugu said that many of his wounds will never fully heal.
“But I am a strong, stubborn Turkish Kiwi, who has been brought up to battle on, and that is what I will do. On behalf of all the survivors, I thank those who helped us that day, many at their own risk. To the many bystanders, neighbours, paramedics, the emergency departments and hospital staff, please accept our heartfelt gratitude. And to fellow New Zealanders and all people around the world watching, thank you. Thank you for never leaving us alone. Thank you for always standing with us. Please continue to stand with us,” he said.
Mr Atacocugu said that March 15, 2019 attacks left an undefinable pain in hearts, a pain that they will never be able to erase.
“We will never be the same. However the future is in our hands. We will go on and we will be positive together, just like my friend Adin from Friday prayers who lost his son Mucaad. Our smile will never be taken from us,” he said.
Dr Kiran Munir: Learning to rise again
Dr Kiran Munir, who lost her husband Dr Haroon Mahmood in the attacks, said that he was a well-educated, honourable and refined man.
“He was the love of my life and will always be. My husband for 13 years and my extraordinary soulmate. He was my best friend of 20 years, my pillar of strength, my shelter, my safe space,” she said.
Dr Munir said that the best revenge was not to be like your enemy.
“Despite the tragedy we have faced, we are learning to rise up again with dignity and move forward as best we can. The outpouring of aroha from our fellow New Zealanders, spurred on by the strong and kind leadership of our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meant that we never felt alone in this journey.
“Phrases like ‘we have hope’, ‘we are one’ and ‘salaam’ have been our collective message to each other and the world.”
Maha Elmadani: Part of soul gone
Maha Elmadani, whose father Ali Elmadani died in the terrorist attack said that the pain of losing these 51 lives had not only impacted the people of Christchurch but also others.
“It was a pain that rippled throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world and continues to be felt to this day. They were loving fathers, mothers, brothers and sons. Today we remember them. They had so much to give to this land, they were proud Kiwis and we were blessed to have them in their lives,” she said.
Ms Elmadani said that one of the proud Kiwis lost during the massacre was her father Ali.
“Ali Elmadani was my dad and he took with him a part of my soul. My baba was a man of few words, gently spoken in Classical Arabic. He was a custodian of knowledge and history. When he spoke, everybody listened. He was my teacher, my anchor and my source of truth. Through him I learned about my faith and my Palestinian heritage. When he left this world, so too did the light,” she said.
Ms Elmadani wished for a safer, more inclusive Aotearoa, where our young generation and all those who follow can be proud of their identities and live freely from fear of discrimination or ignorance.
Faisal Sayed: In pain and tears
Faisal Sayed, who was praying at the Linwood Mosque with his father when the shooting started, said that he had never felt prouder to be a Muslim as had in the past two years.
“My community was in pain and in tears. It was slowly healing and recovering. It shared a message of forgiveness and what it really means to be peaceful. Whilst forgiveness and sharing peace is a prominent part of our faith, having a voice and standing for justice is also strongly embedded in my faith. That strength, that grace, could be seen in the court when my community members confronted the gunman. I have never felt any prouder, being a Kiwi, as much as I’ve felt in the last two years,” he said.
Unquestionable legacy: Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the audience that there will be an unquestionable legacy from the attacks, which have changed New Zealand. And while much of it is heart-breaking, by standing together there are opportunities to grow a stronger nation.
“The scars that have been left are many, and we have a duty to listen here and respond with words and deeds that support you while they heal. It is never too early, or too late for the legacy to be a more inclusive nation, one that stands proud of our diversity, embraces it and if called to, defends it staunchly,” she said.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel: Seed of Understanding
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel began the Remembrance Service by thanking those who had shared their stories.
“I know how hard that can be. However a seed of understanding is planted each time such a story is shared. And with that understanding, we see that differences sometimes mask all that we have in common. And it is all we have in common, our shared humanity, that brings us together in times of need, and again today,” she said.
“Today we also reflect on the leadership of our Muslim communities who asked us to unite in peace, love and forgiveness so we could overcome the division and further acts of violence this attack was designed to cause. We can all be proud of how we responded and how we supported each other with kindness and compassion,” she added.
A Special Prayer Service was also held at Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch in the morning.
About 50 people attended the Dua service, also known as Prayer Service, which was held by the Muslim Association of Canterbury.
The Dua was read out by Imam Gamal Fouda, who prayed for those who lost their lives in the massacre. He said that the attack had ultimately failed, and the terror attack did not succeed in breaking the country.
-Published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
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