Hundreds of Muslims have gathered in Christchurch for a special Friday prayer service and meeting of remembrance following last year’s mosque shootings.
Members of the Al Noor and Linwood Mosque came together under one roof at the city’s Horncastle Arena on Friday, nearly a year to the day of the terror attacks.
The 15 March terror incidents left 51 Muslim worshipers dead and 49 others injured during Friday prayers at the Al Noor mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with female worshippers before observing the service from a hospitality suite.
There was a significant police presence outside the building and the site was searched before prayers began.
Farid Ahmed, who lost his wife in the attack, told SBS News that Friday’s service was an emotional experience.
“There was lots of support and lots of goodwill, well-wishing and prayers,” he said.
“It was wonderful.”
Seventeen-year-old Sakina Ali said she wasn’t sure what to expect when she turned up at Horncastle Arena.
“I thought there would be a lot of anxiety, a lot of fear, maybe a bit of mourning,” she said.
“But [I] walked in and [felt]: ‘I’m with my family, with my brothers and sisters. I'm with people who are here to protect me … We are New Zealanders and we are safe here’.”
Sakima was at school at the time of the attacks and said the support she received in the wake of them made her feel “at home”.
Seventeen-year-old Sakina Ali Source: SBS News
“In the last year it's really been amazing to feel at home,” she said.
“Even though I was born [in New Zealand], I never really felt a part of it.
“The strength of love from … the Kiwis all around New Zealand has been amazing.”
Taj Mohammad Kamran suffered three gunshot wounds during the attacks, which claimed the life of friend Martin la Safi.
“That time is very difficult for me,” he said.
“My life is changed, my leg is not working … It is very difficult. [But] today I [came] here in safety. Everything [was] very good.”
An Australian man is due to go on trial on 2 June for the terror attacks.
He faces terrorism charges, plus 51 counts of murder and 40 of attempted murder.
Mentions of the Christchurch shootings were also made during Friday prayers at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s west.
“It’s hard and it’s difficult to have those emotions come back up again because they do whenever you’re reminded of it, but … you kind of feel a little bit better now,” worshipper Hayfa Bakour said ahead of Friday’s service.
Hayfa Bakour outside Lakemba Mosque on Friday Source: SBS News
“We’ve made the best of a really horrible situation by coming closer together, by standing up for one another, by getting to know each other.
“The New Zealand [Muslim] community and the Australian [Muslim] community have been brought closer together.”
Additional reporting by Bernadette Clarke.
