Spiritual Practices / Law

'We all want to have a better NZ' - Farid Ahmed responds to terror attacks report

18:12 pm on 8 December 2020

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A survivor from the Christchurch terror attacks says the greatest gift people can give his martyred wife is to learn the lesson from hate and make this country a safer place for all.

Farid Ahmed's wife Husna was among the 51 killed in the shooting rampage in March last year.

She tried to go back into the Al Noor mosque to help her husband who uses a wheelchair, but she was fatally shot.

"It's a huge thing, but I'm just putting my eyes on a few things that I feel most important with my philosophy," he said.

"For example, page number 760, it says that we all have a role, making New Zealand safe and inclusive.

"My heart and emotion, my mind was focused on that. What am I going to do, what is my role and what can I do that will show honour and respect to my wife?

"What can I continue doing that will make her happy… from the other part of the world, with her soul. Those sorts of things are staying focused in my mind."

He says he is not angered by the failings highlighted in the report.

"I start anything with thanks. Before I complain for anything, I tried to look at the positive things. If there are shortcomings, it is not the end of the world. As long as we have goodwill, and good mind, good heart, we can work on it."

He said he has been inspired by the amount of work and investment that has gone into the Royal Commission and the work to meet the 44 recommendations.

"When I look at those things you know my heart says that I must start with saying thank you for this wonderful work. Thank you for all these wonderful contributions.

"We can keep learning, and we can keep contributing ideas. Because basically, we have one common goal. And that is we all want to have a safer New Zealand for each and every Kiwi."

He said March 15 was not just an attack on Muslims, but an attack on New Zealand's peace, culture of diversity and national security.

"That is why it has affected everyone."

"They all are united in one thing - that we all want to have a better New Zealand.

"We want safety and security for each and every Kiwi in this land. And that way, Muslims will be safe, Buddhists will be safe, believers will be safe, or people who do not have any faith, they will be safe. Because we are human first. And we have to be united on humanity."

Ahmed said the most important gift to his late wife would be if people have learned a lesson from the hate expressed on March 15.  

"And if we can work hard to turn that hate into love and unity in love in New Zealand."