By Annisa Essack
21:12:2021

Ten people who risked their lives to save others during the 2019 Christchurch Mosque massacres have been honoured in New Zealand’s most prestigious bravery awards. Two Muslims received the New Zealand Cross – an acknowledgement akin to the New Zealand Victoria Cross for gallantry.

Rashid and his son Talha were at the Masjid An-Nur just before 1.40 pm when a lone gunman, armed with semi-automatic shotguns and assault rifles, entered and started shooting. On that fateful day of March 15, 2019, Naeem Rashid’s attempt to overpower the Christchurch Mosque terrorist proved fatal.

Rashid ran to the side of a room, where a large part of the congregation tried to escape through a small window and door. Rashid, who was at the back of the group, turned and ran at the terrorist as he fired at the group and was hit in the shoulder.

He collided with the terrorist, grabbing him and knocking him to the floor. The terrorist regained his feet and fatally shot Rashid, but at least seven people could escape while the gunman was diverted due to Rashid’s actions. Talha was also killed.

Rashid received his award posthumously.

When the gunman attacked, Linwood Islamic Centre hero Abdul Aziz was at afternoon prayers at the Linwood Islamic Centre on Linwood Ave with his four sons, aged 6 and 19. He heard that he saw the terrorist and ran after him on investigating the gunshots. As three shots were fired at him, Aziz ducked between parked cars and picked up the terrorist’s discarded lever-action rifle. He then knew the terrorist had a new firearm.

Hearing more shots from inside the mosque, Aziz took the discarded rifle and went towards the front of the mosque, yelling to get the terrorist’s attention. When the terrorist saw Aziz with the gun, he dropped his rifle and ran to his car. Aziz ran after him and threw the gun into the car’s back window as the terrorist drove off.

In a hazardous situation, his extraordinary courage, bravery, and complete disregard for his safety ultimately stopped the gunman from re-entering the masjid and forced him to flee.

While Aziz hoped no one would ever have to get an award again for helping save their community from terrorism, he acknowledged it felt good to be honoured.