Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received a standing ovation as she spoke at the National Remembrance Service in Christchurch today saying: "We are not immune to the virus of hate, but we can be the nation who finds the cure."
As she took the stage, Ardern received a loud round of applause that went on even after she began speaking to thousands at Christchurch's Hagley Park and many more watching around New Zealand - some at special events, where the service to remember the 50 killed in the Christchurch terror attack is being livestreamed.
She asked what words expressed the grief of a city that had already gone through so much and said the answer was simple: Asalamu Aleykum (Peace be upon you).
Ardern told the crowd the stories told by those who survived and lost loved ones, were now part of the nation's collective memory. Violent extremism and hate speech were not welcome.
"The last two weeks have shown that. Our challenge now is to make the very best of us a daily reality because we are not immune from the ugly viruses. But we can be the nation that finds the cure.
“Be the place we wish to be. A place that is diverse, kind and compassionate. Those values represent the very best of us.
"Racism exists, but it is not welcome here. Violence and extremism in all its forms is not welcome here. Our challenge now is to make the very best of us a daily reality.
"We are not immune to the virus of hate, but we can be the nation who finds the cure. The world has been stuck in a vicious cycle of extremism breeding extremism, and it must end. The answer lies in our humanity."
The Prime Minister recited the second verse of the national anthem, God Defend New Zealand/Aotearoa:
“Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.”
The National Remembrance Service began with a message to family members who lost loved ones in the Christchurch terrorist attack.
Dr Te Maire Tau has given the mihi whakatau - the formal Maori speech of welcome to the thousands gathered amid a heavy police presence.
"It is the task of our women who you hear keening to call to you to bring you back into the world of light that we have now - to call you back into the world of joy, because these feelings make us humans."
He welcomed the families of the victims back to the world of light, to the fellowship, goodwill and love.
Later, Al Noor Mosque terror attack survivor Farid Ahmed received warm applause when he came onto the stage to speak.
Ahmed’s wife Husna rescued children from the gunman before being killed when she returned to find her wheelchair-bound husband.
Ahmed said those killed two weeks ago are now dead, their soul is alive.
"The people who were killed in their worship – they are in paradise," he said.
He said people have asked him why he has forgiven the mosque shooter.
“I do not hate him, I cannot hate anyone.”
Allah says that if he forgives, then he will love him.
He does want a heart that is “boiling like a volcano, which has anger, fury and rage”.
“It doesn’t have peace, it has hatred. It burns itself within and also its surroundings.
“I don’t want a heart like this, and I believe no one does. I want a heart that is full of love and care, and full of mercy and will forgive. This heart doesn’t want any more lives to be lost. This heart doesn’t like the pain that I have gone through - that no human being should go through.”
The killer had probably endured some suffering or trauma in his life that he could not process in a constructive way, Ahmed said.
And while he could not support his actions, Ahmed could not deny that he’s his “human brother”.
Ahmed received a standing ovation and long applause.
New Zealand's Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy said she was there to “convey love and messages of condolence and support” from the Queen, from leaders of nations around the world and from fellow New Zealanders, along with the widowed, the fatherless and motherless, the maimed, bereaved families, and to our Muslim communities and the people of Christchurch.
“Although the depth of your grief and sorrow is unimaginable, we all shed tears for your pain and your loss,” she said.
“As we all search for a way forward from that grief, history reminds us what happens when good people stand by and let evil flourish. We are at such a point in our history.”
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel told the crowd she was confident that the city will emerge as a kinder and more compassionate place.
However, residents must first ask hard questions of themselves "about what comfort any of us might give to people who harbour racist or extremist views".
"We need to look in the mirror, be honest about who we are and we must all pledge to being a city of inclusion that genuinely embraces diversity every day," Dalziel said.
"Those who have gone, may you finally rest in peace. We who remain, love and compassion to each and every one of us – care for the people. Assalam Alaykum. Peace be upon you."
The mayor of New Zealand’s second largest city welcomed the Heads of State and dignitaries, the crowd, and "those who watch from afar, welcome, you are one with us today".
"To all the people of Christchurch, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, we come together again as one, as we have done every day in our hearts and minds since the 15th March 2019," Dalziel said.
She acknowledged the victims and offered sympathy on behalf of the people of Christchurch to all the grieving families.
"You do not grieve alone, we grieve with you," Dalziel said.
A powerful Islamic invocation, or Du’a, was delivered by Linwood Mosque Imam Lateef Alabi, who survived the terror attack that ended with seven of his worshippers dead.
“Peace be upon everyone. Kia ora,” he began.
The Du’a drifted across North Hagley Park while the police helicopter hovered in the distance.
President of the Muslim Association of Canterbury Shaggaf Khan said he could no longer see the "beautiful faces" of the 50 men, women and children who only 14 days ago were among the living. But they were now at peace.
DUNEDIN EVENT
The Dunedin event started at 9.30am and from 10am to 11am will livestream the National Remembrance Service being held in Christchurch’s Hagley Park.
The Dunedin event began with a welcome from local iwi.
Politicians, police, members of the Muslim community and runanga are side by side at the Dunedin Town Hall.
About 100 members of the public were seated as the ceremony began about 9.30am.
Otago Muslim Association chairman Mohammad Rizwan shared verses from the Quran with those in attendance, in the hopes it provides everyone with strength.
In Christchurch hundreds of armed and specialist police are patrolling North Hagley Park as people start arriving for the National Remembrance Service for the Christchurch terror attack victims.
Heavily-armed officers from both New Zealand and Australia have a visible presence while other armed officers patrol the perimeter to the park.
Sniffer dogs and bomb experts are combing the area while the police Eagle helicopter circles above.
Temporary fences surround the park, just a few hundred metres from Al Noor Mosque where a gunman shot dead 42 people on March 15, before going on to attack Linwood Mosque.
In all, 50 people died in New Zealand’s worst-ever terror attack.
The VIP area was searched seat by seat and Police Commissioner Mike Bush is at the venue and talking to staff this morning.
Dozens of dignatories from several nations are expected for the two-hour event. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will address the crowd - which is expected to be in the tens of thousands.
Dozens of media are in attendance, with numbers being restricted after officials received more than 250 applications to report on the event.
It will be livestreamed at main centres and provincial centres around the country. Auckland's Eden Park will also host an afternoon service beginning at 2.30pm.
Scheduled to speak in Christchurch are Muslim leaders Shaggaf Khan and Mustafa Farouk, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.
Farid Ahmed, whose wife Husna Ahmed was killed in Al Noor Mosque, will also speak at the event.
British singer Yusuf Islam, previously known as Cat Stevens, is the biggest musical drawcard. Local performers Marlon Williams, Hollie Smith, Teeks and Maisey Rika will also perform.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and leader of the opposition Bill Shorten would both attend the service. She said 59 countries would be represented at the service, as would the UNHCR. Many heads of state from the Pacific community would also attend.
The names of each of the 50 victims of the terrorist attack will be read by members of the Muslim community.
The service was jointly led by the Government, the City of Christchurch, Ngāi Tahu and the Muslim community.
The Dunedin event will include speeches from Minister of Health Dr David Clark, Otago Muslim Association Chairman Mohammed Rizwan, Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull, Otago Regional Council Chairman Stephen Woodhead and Dunedin South MP Clare Curran. The event will close with a karakia at about 11.30am.
With RNZ
