Pakistani Naeem Rashid is a hero. He sacrificed his life to save others at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch when a terrorist opened fire.



Rashid tried to stop the shooting at the mosque by launching himself at the gunman. His son 22-year-old Talha Naeem a civil engineering graduate was among those who lost their lives in the shooting.

Naeem Rashid who was injured in his bid to overpower the attacker passed away after succumbing to his injuries. He was a resident of Abbottabad and a professor in New Zealand.

Naeem Rashid was a resident of Jinnahabad in Abbottabad. He received his education from Army Burn Hall College and went to New Zealand for his higher education, eventually settling there.

“It is my request to provide urgent facilities to my mother to travel to New Zealand. My sister-in-law is alone there,” appealed Naeem Rashid’s brother.

Naeem Rashid (Left) with son Talha Naeem (Right). Photo: Khaleej Times

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Naeem Rashid’s wife called her husband a hero.

"My son and my husband are heroes," Ambreen said, crying inconsolably. "This is the mosque they always went to. I still can't understand or believe why and how this happened. But, I know that my husband is a hero. He always helped people and even in his last moments, he did what he could to help others."

Six Pakistanis were martyred in the Christchurch mosque attacks, New Zealand authorities confirmed to the Foreign Office on Saturday at the time this report was filed.

Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammed Faisal said Naeem Rashid and his son will be buried in Christchurch and arrangements for the burial are in place.

At least 50 people lost their lives when 28-year-old right-wing extremist Brenton Tarrant attacked two mosques in Christchurch. 41 people lost their lives at the Al Noor Mosque, while seven more died at a mosque in the suburb of Linwood.

The terrorist appeared in a local court earlier today on murder charges. He was remanded in custody with no bail requested and is scheduled to appear in the South Island city’s High Court on April 5 and will likely face further charges.