Survivor of the Christchurch mosque attack, Farid Ahmed, has been recognised for spreading his message of peace and forgiveness around the world following the shootings.
He has just returned from Washington DC, where he was presented with an international religious freedom award, amongst other heroes of human rights. In 2019, his wife was killed in Al Noor Mosque. He managed to escape, but has turned this tragedy into an effort to restore peace and speak out for survivors and victims’ especially amongst Muslims.
Ahmed said he made the decision to forgive in the hour after the shootings, and said through tears “We all cried that we were not alone, so I dedicate this award to my wife, to the shahada, to all the survivors and all compassionate kiwis… I was happy that New Zealand has achieved something it’s not about me I never think that personally I’m worthy”.
It’s a message he’s shared widely, on stage at the public memorial declaring, “I have chosen peace I have chosen love and I have forgiven…I do not hate him I cannot hate him I do not hate”.
Those powerful words still echo around the world, and that’s why the US Ambassador to New Zealand nominated him for this award.
“The most important thing you should know is he competed with many people to get this very prestigious award and I believe he really deserves it," Tom Udall said.
Ahmed has hosted many unity dinners, and declared "the whole world should be our neighbourhood" at one where he fed 300 people in his community. He’s also written a book in honour of his wife Husna, with all proceeds going to St John Ambulance.
“He’s someone who’s dealt with a lot of pain and a lot of suffering and he's come through it as a real model of what humanity should do in my opinion," Udall said.
Ahmed said he's not finished spreading his message of peace, with the memory of the 51 people who died an ongoing trauma for him.
“All of their smiley faces, I constantly I can see them and they inspire me they inspire me that Farid do something”.
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