These two sensational students have written some beautiful pieces regarding the horrific events that occurred on the 15th of March 2019. They have been cut down to fit better.

Zeinab Al-Hasani - 15/03/2019

Today, instead of straightening away my brown frizzy curls I will embrace them. Instead of denying the roots of my name, I will admit that they are Muslim, I will tell you I was born a Muslim, and I will tell you that no matter if I identify as it or not, I will still die a Muslim. Today, I will join my mum as she reads the Quran, as she prays to Allah for the people who lost their lives, the people injured, and the people hurting. I can’t help but think about waking up to being thrown out of my crib as bombings rocked our home and shattered our windows. About how the power went out everyday and we’d sit in the dark while my mum told jokes to distract from the fact that there was a war outside, and it wasn’t going away. I have been called a refugee, an immigrant, a terrorist, asked if I’m in ISIS, had bomb ‘jokes’ thrown at me up and down, so consequently I became ashamed. I began to avoid anything to do with my culture, because the only thing it seemed to be known for was terrorism. However; a portion of people abusing the religion is not in any way representative of the community, the culture, or the religion itself. The only thing I’m ashamed about now is being ashamed in the first place. No matter what race, what culture, what country, what colour, and what religion you may have or may be, the one thing we all have in common is that we are all human beings. We are all the same species, and doesn’t it sound stupid to be against your own kind? What it means to be human falls under so many things, but it is humanity that keeps the world going. Today, we have lost touch of humanity, we have slipped behind as a world. But tomorrow, we can change that. Tomorrow, let us change that. Tomorrow, we need, to change that.

Zadran Safi - 15/03/2019

Asalamo alikom. Bisma Allah il rahman al raheem. Today when I see a fellow Muslim walking, the first question I ask after giving my salam, is if their family is ok. It's so hard to comprehend that this has now become our reality, that people didn't make it out. This was taken from Jinghan Naan and I think it summarizes what we are feeling in the best way. “You have single-handedly raised the statuses of our brothers and sisters in the eyes of their beloved Creator with your actions. And how, through your actions, they will be raised as the most righteous and pious of Muslims. Perhaps you didn’t know that doing what you did, at the time and place you chose, it actually meant that the last words that escaped their lips were probably words of remembrance and praise of Allah, and perhaps you didn’t know, but what you did would inshallah guarantee them paradise. I appreciate that you showed the world how Muslims welcome, with open arms, even people like yourself into our Mosques, which is our second home. Appreciate you for showing that our mosques have no locks or gates, and are unguarded because everyone and anyone is welcome to be with us. Appreciate you for allowing the world to see the powerful image of a man you injured, lying on back on the stretcher with his index finger raised high, as a declaration of his faith and complete trust in Allah. Appreciate how you brought the Churches and communities together to stand with us Muslims. Appreciate that you made countless New Zealanders come out of their homes to visit the mosques nearest to them with flowers and beautiful messages of peace and love.” You have broken many many hearts and you have made the world weep. You have left a huge void, but what you have also done, is you have brought us closer together and it has strengthened our faith and resolve. After all the damage that you have caused, I still forgive you. After the families that you destroyed, I still forgive you. After you killed and injured many I still forgive you. After you killed a 3 year old boy, men and women, I still forgive you… And after you shot my dad 5 times, I still forgive you. I will always go to any mosque. This act has not scared me but rather shown me how strong we all are. I will forever be proud of my faith and who I am because of it. I am proud of this country and how we have come together in support. We understand that a few bad people do not represent the people that we see. We are grieving but we will get through this. Wa alikom salam.