Remembering the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attack

On a calm afternoon in Christchurch, New Zealand, as Muslims gathered for their Friday prayers in two separate mosques, a far-right terrorist proceeded to enter the mosques with semi-automatic weapons and fire indiscriminately at worshippers. 49 beautiful souls were originally taken from us, and at the time of writing, that number has risen to 51.

While much of the media has been focused on the killer, and some outlets outright humanising him, several activists and community leaders have stepped forward and called for us to remember and celebrate the lives of the victims.

Here I would like to mention just some of the beautiful souls who were taken from us on that fateful day.

I would like to thank Khaled Beydoun for his wonderful Twitter thread dedicated to the victims, which you can read in full here.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1106746726864637952

Naeem Rasheed

Naeem was a hero. As depicted in the horrific live-stream that the killer decided to broadcast during his massacre, Naeem lunged at the killer to tackle him. He had just witnessed his son Talha being killed, among so many others around him.

Naeem was badly injured at the shooting and later passed away after being taken to the hospital. His courage was recognised by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who promised him a national award.

We stand ready to extend all our support to the families of Pakistani victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch. Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognized with a national award.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 17, 2019

His brother, Khurshid Alam, spoke of how proud he was of his brother’s actions:

He was a brave person, and I’ve heard from a few people there, there were few witnesses… they’ve said he saved a few lives there by trying to stop that guy.

His son Talha, a college student, was just 21.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1106748278203387904

Haji Daoud Nabi

Hajj Daoud was another hero who stepped forward to save others.

He was 71-years-old. His son told media that his father had jumped into the firing line to save the lives of others.

Haji Daoud was beloved by the community and had originally come to New Zealand from Afghanistan in 1977. He was one of the first to die.

In the live-stream, Haji Daoud can be seen stepping forward to the killer as he enters the mosque, telling him “hello brother”.

His son, Yama al-Nabi, escaped the shooting by minutes as he was running late.

Another son, Omar, said that his father would greet refugees who were coming to Christchurch for a new life at the airport.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1106939273104773120

Mohammad Atta Alayan

Mohammad was the founder of the Al-Noor mosque in Christchurch.

Originally a Palestinian refugee, he had raised funds to build the mosque.

Mucad Ibrahim

Mucad was just three-years-old, and was the youngest of all victims.

He had attended the mosque with his father and brother, but as the panic and the horror ensued, the three became separated. Mucad’s death was confirmed on Sunday.

His brother Abdi said:

My mum, she’s been struggling… Every time she sees other people crying, emotional, she just collapses.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1106751458903502848

Abdullahi Dirie

Abdullahi was just 4-years-old.

His family first came to New Zealand in the 1990s, fleeing war in Somalia.

His uncle, Abdulrahman Hashi, a preacher at a mosque in Minneapolis, told the Washington Post:

You cannot imagine how I feel. He was the youngest in the family.

He added, “This is a problem of extremism. Some people think the Muslims in their country are part of that, but these are innocent people.”

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1106751683772760064

Atta Elayyan

Atta was the goalkeeper of New Zealand football team, the Futsal Whites.

Atta was of Palestinian origin. Alongside his footballing career, he was also chief executive of a technology consultancy, as well as a professional gamer.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1107172569164251136

He leaves behind a wife, Farah, and a 2-year-old daughter, Aya.

QUOTE | @NZ_Football Futsal Development Manager @margetts_josh: “To Atta’s family, we are deeply sorry for your loss. We can’t imagine what you are going through, but please know we love you and we are here for you during this incredibly difficult time.” #RIPAtta @MainlandFooty pic.twitter.com/tCcileWiUK

— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) March 17, 2019

Khaled Mustafa

Khaled and his family had fled war in Syria, and had begun their new life in New Zealand.

Khaled was shot while praying, along with his two sons. Hamza is missing, and Zaid is recovering from an operation in hospital.

Ali Akil, of Syrian Solidarity in New Zealand, said:

They were just looking for a safe place. Unfortunately we can’t claim that New Zealand is a safe place anymore.

On Khaled, activist Khaled Beydoun said on Twitter:

He secured a better life for his family, but won’t be there to realize that dream with them.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1106802153820246016

Hose Ara Parvin

Hosna, 42-years-old, had originally escaped the mosque after the shooting began, and was helping lead women out.

She returned into the mosque to search for her husband, Farid, who uses a wheelchair. She is said to have lept in front of him to shield him from bullets, sacrificing her life for his.

Her niece, Nusrat, told NewsHub:

She’s brave, and she gave her life saving others.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1106818930063101953

Sayyad Milne

Sayyad was just fourteen years old, and had attended Friday prayers every week.

He was a footballer, a student at high school, and had dreamed of becoming an international footballer.

His mother, Noraini, escaped. His father, John Milne, told New Zealand radio:

It’s so hard… to see him just gunned down by someone who didn’t care about anyone or anything.

Syed Areeb Ahmed

Syed Areeb was working in New Zealand to help support his family back in Karachi, Pakistan.

He was described by his uncle as deeply religious.

His body will be sent to Pakistan for burial.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1107038851355328513

Lilik Abdul Hamid

Lilik was a longtime maintenance engineer at Air New Zealand, having worked there for 16 years.

He had moved to Christchurch with his wife from Jakarta in 2003.

Lilik was married with two children.

His daughter, Zhania Anindya, told Radio New Zealand:

We never felt alone with his personality, he was always making friends with anyone.

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1107045933576015872

These are just some of the beautiful souls that were taken in an unacceptable act of terror. While news outlets focus on the story of the killer, who does not deserve the attention that he sought, let us celebrate the lives of the heroic 51.

They are at peace, it is we who are still suffering.