A man who came to New Zealand as a refugee has put aside his prepared statement to the New Zealand High Court to deliver a powerful direct message to the Australian terrorist behind the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Mirwais Waziri, from Afghanistan, was injured in the Al-Noor mosque attack on 15 March last year.
At Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Mr Waziri asked to put aside his prepared victim impact statement to address Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant directly.
“My name is Mirwais Waziri, and I’m originally from Afghanistan. I was injured in the Al-Noor mosque attack and I ask permission from the honourable judge that instead of reading my [victim] impact statement, I will read five sentences,” he said.
Mr Waziri said in the 17 years since he arrived in New Zealand as a refugee he has been called a terrorist multiple times.
“But you took that name from me. Today, you are called a terrorist and you proved to that world that I was not, that us as Muslims, we are not terrorists,” he said to applause from the public gallery.
“I say to the people of New Zealand that [a] terrorist does not have religion, race and colour. Any colour, any race and any face could be a terrorist, and we are not terrorists.
“We have suffered, but we are strong. My brothers and sisters suffered, but we are stronger than before.”
Mr Waziri said after coming to New Zealand as a refugee, he will not be leaving.
“You are the terrorist, and we are the winners,” he said.
The gunman was back in court on Tuesday as he awaits sentencing for the terror attack he carried out last year.
Community members have presented heartbreaking testimony to the High Court this week, describing the loss of their loved ones and their still-raw traumas.
Several have said they have still trouble getting to sleep, more than a year after the attack.
Many have described ongoing financial difficulties, trouble socialising, and the grief of losing husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters and friends.
‘I have lost my energy for life’
A father on Tuesday described the recurring trauma he suffers after losing his eldest son in the mosque shootings.
Rashid Bin Omar’s 24-year-old son Tariq was killed in the attack - a recurring memory that he told the High Court and the gunman “goes over and over in my mind”.
“That terrible day, his life was taken from me and he was so unexpectedly taken from my family,” Mr Omar said.
“You took something away from me and it has changed my life forever. You shattered your life with your actions of hate against all Muslim people.”
Mr Omar said he is unable to do the simplest tasks any more - even he and his son’s shared passion for photography is too painful.
“My days just became a huge burden to get through. I have lost my energy for life,” he said.
“Some activities I do remind me of Tariq. I had a love of photography, which Tariq was a part of … But I can’t get any pleasure from it. I can’t get any pleasure through the lens.
“Tariq will live on through my memories.”
Like many others who have given testimony this week, Mr Omar said the terror attack brought New Zealand's Muslim and non-Muslim communities together.
Justice Cameron Mander at the sentencing of Brenton Tarrant at the High Court in Christchurch, NZ Source: AAP
“Your actions have failed to spread hatred, but have in fact brought our nation together and bonded New Zealand people,” he said.
But the grieving father said he would never be able to forgive the gunman.
“In my religion, I am taught about forgiveness, if possible. It is not my job to judge anyone … not even you,” he said.
“Not only have you taken my son from me and his family, but your family have also lost you. I like to think that you will find peace within yourself, but I doubt peace will ever come to you. I will never be able to forgive you.”
Angela Armstrong, whose daughter Linda was killed at the Linwood Islamic Centre, said she has “no emotion” for the gunman.
“While I have pity for your mum, I have no emotion for you,” Ms Armstrong said.
“You are nothing … I therefore challenge [you] to use [your] remaining lifetime to find the beauty in diversity and freedom that [you] sought to destroy.”
A ‘healing moment’
Very few statements elicited emotion from the gunman, sitting roughly five metres away in the dock.
That was until Zahid Ismail Ismail took his place in court, standing stoically and eyeballing the gunman while his pre-recorded video played on large screens.
Mr Ismail lost his twin brother Junaid, who died of a gunshot wound to the chest at the Al-Noor mosque.
"While my pregnant wife and I were parking, a shooting was coming into reality," he said.
"My brother is now not able to see his children grow and see their development into adulthood."
Mr Ismail then described Junaid's "passion for cricket and pride in his long beard".
The gunman turned his gaze from the screen and looked towards Mr Ismail, chuckling in acknowledgement.
Mr Ismail, his nose flared and his cheeks pulsing in and out, increased the intensity of his stare.
"I wanted to see if there was any empathy," he told AAP outside the court. "There is definitely a human being in there."
Mr Ismail was followed by his sister, Raesha, who described the non-Muslim community's embrace of her Islamic faith in the wake of the attack.
"After the events of 15 March I don't think I have to hide my faith in the workplace. This has been positive," she said.
"I've put up a Muslim calendar at work ... I was asked to host an Eid party which was well attended.
"I have strengthened my voice to be able to speak up for when it matters."
Both Mr and Ms Ismail displayed the defiance that has characterised so many of those who appeared in the court this week.
A police officer stands guard in front of the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch (AAP) Source: AP
Mr Ismail described his testimony to the High Court as "a healing moment".
"My brother is now not able to see his children grow and see their development into adulthood. But they will become confident proud Kiwis that live in the same place as their daddy lived," he told AAP.
"My family and I have always been strong individuals. I continue to attend [the Al-Noor mosque] and pray with passion and strength."
The sentencing hearing continues.
For people in Australia, mental health support is available at . supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Additional reporting by AAP.
