Gatherings have continued today to remember the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks at services marking the fifth anniversary of the tragedy.
Fifty-one people were killed and 40 others were injured in the shootings at Linwood Islamic Centre and Al Noor Mosque on March 15, 2019.
This morning, a hundred cakes arrived at the home of Farid Ahmed, who lost his wife Husna in the attacks.
After receiving so much love from the community, Ahmed decided to give back.
Ahmed and a team of volunteers went door to door to deliver the baked goods, spreading peace one cake at a time.
Among the helpers was Rashad Hussain, the US ambassador for international religious freedom.
Hussain called Ahmed’s good deed a “really an important and moving reminder that the way we transform hearts and the way we bring people together is in our day to day interactions”.
For Ahmed, it’s a chance to continue his wife’s legacy of kindness.
“I know that she would be very happy if I carry on the things she was doing. We were a team and we lost one, but I have to carry on – I have to continue.”
At Al Noor Mosque this afternoon, there were fresh flowers on the ground as the community gathered for prayer.
“We are all remembering the shuddha, the martyrs of 15 March, 2019. It's been quite a while. It's quite emotional for all of us,” a worshipper with his young son said.
Families from many different ethnicities came together as one, undeterred by the rain.
So many worshippers arrived that some were forced to remain outside and pray in the carpark.
“Today we want to show the world – and everybody else – that New Zealanders are united. The community is coming together to show its respect,” Federation of Islamic Associations spokesperson Abdur Razzaq said.
“So, what was the purpose of that person? It didn’t work.”
The nation’s leaders were invited to share a meal and hear from survivors.
“It’s not a five years of trauma – it’s every day, every moment. It’s ongoing and we’re now seeing the generational trauma,” Razzaq said.
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