New Zealand attack survivor recalls moments of terror

By Recep Sakar and Tevfik Durul

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AA) – Somali Adan Ibrahim Dirie, a survivor of last week’s terror attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, will forever live with the moment his son was murdered in cold blood.

“When the terrorist opened fire, he shot my three-and-a-half-year-old son in the head,” he told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

Dirie, the father of Mucad Ibrahim, the youngest victim of the terrorist attack on Al Noor Mosque, described what he went through during the ordeal.

"God gave my son life. Then he claimed it back. Last Friday was tough for me, for New Zealand and for the whole Islamic world," he said.

Noting that worshippers were listening to the Friday sermon when the attack occurred, Dirie said his son collapsed after being shot.

"I believe in God, I believe that everything is connected with God. I had to be patient and felt how all Muslims felt," he said.

He said he managed to survive by camouflaging himself so the terrorist didn't notice him.

Dirie emphasized that he was grateful for all the aid, assistance and friendship from people from all corners of the world, especially those in New Zealand.

"We need to speak more and perform more actions for Muslims. We are unified now,” said Derek Tait, a member of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori community.

“He is a loser. He lost, but we won,” he added, referring to the terrorist.

On March 15, at least 50 people were killed when a terrorist opened fire on worshippers during the weekly Friday prayers at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Four suspects -- three men and one woman -- were detained. One suspected was reportedly released later.

One of the suspects, Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, is facing massacre charges and is being held at a high-security prison in Auckland.

* Writing by Ali Murat Alhas