The Christchurch terror attacks death toll stands at 50, and include seven people from an Indian background. Over 30 remain in hospital, many critically injured after Australian Brenton Tarrant opened fire in two mosques in central Christchurch on Friday 15th March. He faces one charge of murder, with more charges expected.
As investigations continue into the shootings and as New Zealand considers stricter gun laws, the community has rallied around bereaved families struggling to cope with their loss.
Rehanna Ali from the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand told SBS Gujarati, "We have a management team in Christchurch who are providing support to the victims and community. The association is also working with various government agencies and hospitals to help the community."
"The whole world is in grief after the incident," she said. "Repatriation of the bodies will start soon after completing formalities".
The mosque shooting victims
Maheboob Khokhar, 65, Asif Vora, 56, Ramiz Vora, 28, Hafiz Musa Vali Patel, 52 and Junaid Kara, 38, a New Zealand national with Gujarati background were among those who visited mosques on Friday afternoon and lost their lives in the terror attack by a lone gunman.
Asif Vora, from Vadodara, in Gujarat visited his son Ramiz as his daughter-in-law had just delivered a baby girl few days beforehand. She was to be discharged from the hospital on Friday and Arif and Ramiz went to attend prayers at the mosque before completing the hospital discharge formalities. They were among those killed in the gunfire.
According to The Times of India, Asif's elder son Rahil lives in Australia and he rushed to Christchurch after hearing the news. Family members approached Vadodara MP Ranjan Bhatt to expedite the processing of their visas for New Zealand. Asif's brother Mohsin Vora and the parents of Ramiz's wife were granted visas the next day.
Asif (L) and Ramiz (R) Vora. Source: Spice World
Maheboob Khokhar, 65, was a retired manager at the Gujarat power station and was visiting Christchurch. It was Maheboob's first time visit to his 27-year-old son Imran Khokhar who had migrated to New Zealand in 2010.
On Friday, Imran dropped off Maheboob at the Al Noor mosque and was in the parking lot when he heard the gunfire. He has heard no news about his father. He said authorities had also refused to allow him inside the hospital. Later, Imran found out that his father passed away.
Akhtar Khokhr, 58, shows a picture of her husband Mehaboobbhai Khokhar. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Vincent Thian
Hafiz Musa Vali Patel, 52, another victim from Bharuch, Gujarat was grievously wounded in the shooting. He died after fighting for almost 20 hours in hospital.
Hafiz's brother Haji Ali Patel told news agency ANI that Hafiz and his wife went to the mosque to offer prayer when he was shot in the back. Patel migrated to Fiji 35 years ago and was a priest in a mosque in Lusaka city. He got permanent residency of New Zealand 15 days ago and was staying with his elder daughter in Christchurch, according to the Times of India.
Farhaj Ahsan was a software engineer from Hyderabad, India, moved to New Zealand six years ago. He was married with a three-year-old daughter and infant son.
Junaid Kara, 38, an Indian origin man originally from Gujarat was also among the victims. Junaid, a New Zealand national migrated from India several years ago.
Farhaj Ahsan had a wife and two young children. He was 30-year-old. Source: Supplied
According to The Times of India, Piyush Desai, MLA from Navsari said, Junaid and his family were widely respected because of their service to the welfare of the village.
Ansi Alibava, 25, originally from Kerala, was awaiting her graduation ceremony. Family friend Joy Kochakkan told SBS Malayalam: "She completed her Master of Management in Agribusiness from Lincoln University, an 18-month long course in just 12 months’ time and was waiting for her graduation. She was such a bright girl,”
Ansi Alibava Source: Facebook
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