WELLINGTON, KOMPAS.com – Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern was present in an emotional memorial service marking 2 years since mosque attack Christchurch which is deadly.
For Ardern, the state has an “obligation” to support its Muslim community.
Launch AFP on Saturday (13/3/2021), hundreds of people attended the memorial service held in tight security, to remember the 51 people killed and dozens injured, when hard -armed forces opened fire on two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, 2019.
Temel Atacocugu, who was shot 9 times in the face, arms and legs, cries as he remembers waiting to be treated by 3-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim’s father, when they learned that the toddler had died.
Also read: New Zealand Retracts Tsunami Warnings, Central and South America Remain Alert
“Suddenly, I felt no pain (when I found out the toddler was dead),” he said.
Ardern was widely praised for the compassion shown to the survivors and families of the victims of the shooting and for her swift steps to tighten gun control in New Zealand.
He said that the words “regardless of their healing power” would never change what happened.
“Men, women and children … were taken away in acts of terror. Words will not remove fear from Muslim community, “said the woman leader.
Also read: 3 Pacific Earthquake Shakes, Tsunami Warning Appears in New Zealand
Ardern added that what must be inherited is to become “a more inclusive nation, standing in one pride of diversity and unity, and calling for it steadfastly”.
Meanwhile, Atacocugu said that he was still alive it was a miracle.
“Since then I have had seven major operations and many more to come. I carry a lot of shrapnel 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.
Also read: Here’s How New Zealand Holds Big Concerts During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Kiran Munir, whose husband Shaheed Haroon Mahmood was killed in the attack, said the best revenge was “not to be like the enemy. We learn to rise again with dignity and move forward as best we can.”
The gunman who carried out the self-proclaimed white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, who was arrested minutes after the attacks took place at the Al Noor mosque and Linwood Islamic Center, Christchurch.
He pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 attempted murder and one terrorism.
Also read: 10 Years Collapsed in an Earthquake, New Zealand Christ Cathedral Church Is Finally Renovated
In addition, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole last year, the first time it has been imposed in New Zealand.
Last week, police arrested a 27-year-old man in Christchurch.
The man was accused of threatening to kill him following online threats against the same two mosques, the Al Noor mosque and the Linwood Islamic Center.
During the memorial service, armed police were stationed outside the premises and a sniffer dog checked the bags of those who entered the building.
Also read: There are 3 Covid-19 Cases, New Zealand PM Lockdown Auckland City
– .
