Fifty people died after a gunman opened fire during Friday prayers at two mosques in Christchurch

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Fifty people have been confirmed killed in Friday’s terrorist attack on two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch. Twenty-nine injured victims remain at Christchurch hospital on Monday, where officials said nine were in critical condition. A four-year-old girl at a children’s hospital in Auckland also remains critical.

New Zealand police have begun to release the identities of victims of attack, however most listed here are those who have been confirmed as killed, missing or injured – either by statements from family members, official organisations or both.

We will update this article with new information once it has been confirmed.

Killed

Mucaad Ibrahim

Three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim is the youngest known victim of the attacks. He was at Al Noor mosque with his father and older brother Abdi when the attack happened. Everyone began to run, and Abdi thought his father had Mucad. In the rush and crush of people, the three became separated.

On Sunday, Abdi said police had confirmed his death. “My mum, she’s been struggling,” Abdi said. “Every time she sees other people crying, emotional, she just collapses.”

Ahmed Osman, a close family friend, said of Mucad: “He’s been loved by the community here. It’s been tough days. It’s been really tough days.”

Haji-Daoud Nabi

Seventy-one-year-old Haji-Daoud Nabi died as he tried to save the lives of fellow worshippers at Al Noor mosque.

Nabi came to New Zealand from Afghanistan in 1977 and was a beloved community leader. His son, Yama al-Nabi, was running late for a meeting with his father at the mosque, and escaped the shooting by minutes.

Christchurch: how quiet city became target for terror Read more

He told assembled media on Saturday that his father “jumped in the firing line to save somebody else’s life”. “He has passed away,” Nabi said.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Afghan native Haji-Daoud. Photograph: Facebook

Husna Ahmed

Husna Ahmed, 44, escaped Al Noor mosque when the shooting began, leading the women out. She went back in to look for her husband, Farid, who uses a wheelchair. She was shot at the gate. Farid survived.

Her niece, Nusrat Alam, told al-Jazeera: “She thinks of other people first.” Farid said he did not hate the man who killed her. “Probably he wasn’t loved … I don’t hate him at all,” he told Newshub. “She’s brave, and she gave her life saving others.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Husna Ahmed. Photograph: NZ Herald

Junaid Ismail

36-year old Junaid Ismail ran a dairy – a corner store in Kiwi slang – in Christchurch, which his parents started 31 years ago. He and his twin brother, Zahid, came from India when they were five. Zahid said Junaid was killed at Al Noor mosque, and the flowers have come in a steady stream to the shop.

Lilik Abdul Hamid

Lilik Abdul Hamid, a father of two, was an engineer for Air New Zealand. He had worked in Christchurch for 16 years.

His death was confirmed on Sunday in an official statement from Air New Zealand’s chief executive officer Christopher Luxon.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Lilik Abdul Hamid. Photograph: NZ Herald

Sayyad Ahmad Milne

Fourteen-year-old Sayyad Ahmad Milne was a keen footballer who was shot at Al Noor mosque while attending Friday prayers, as he did every week.

The Year 10 student at Cashmere high school had dreamed of being an international footballer one day.

His father, John Milne, told New Zealand radio his son had died. “I’ve lost my little boy, he’s just turned 14,” he said. “It’s so hard ... to see him just gunned down by someone who didn’t care about anyone or anything.”

His mother, Noraini, managed to escape.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sayyad Milne. Photograph: launchgood

Atta Mohammad Ata Elayyan

Atta Elayyan, 33, was the goalkeeper of New Zealand’s national men’s futsal team.

Elayyan, who had just become a father, was confirmed killed by New Zealand’s football association on Sunday.

A Palestinian man who was born in Kuwait, Elayyan was also a popular member of the Christchurch tech industry. He leaves behind his wife Farah and young daughter Aya.

“There is huge hole in our hearts,” said teammate Josh Margetts.

New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) QUOTE | @NZ_Football Futsal Development Manager @margetts_josh: “To Atta’s family, we are deeply sorry for your loss. We can’t imagine what you are going through, but please know we love you and we are here for you during this incredibly difficult time.” #RIPAtta @MainlandFooty pic.twitter.com/tCcileWiUK

Amjad Hamid

Amjad Hamid was a heart doctor who lived in Christchurch and travelled to the small town of Hāwera, 10 hours away by car, every three weeks, to work.

The 57-year old had lived in Christchurch for 23 years after leaving Palestine. His death was confirmed by a relative, and by Rosemary Clements, the chief executive of the Taranaki District Health Board.

“When he returned to Hāwera hospital he often brought fresh baklava from a bakery in Christchurch for everyone,” Clements said. “He was well liked for his kindness, compassion and sense of humour.”



Ansi Karippakulam Alibava

25-year old Ansi Karippakulam Alibava was studying her Masters. Her death was confirmed by the Indian High Commission in New Zealand, and her husband, Abdul Nazer Ponnath Hamsa.

He told Stuff: “The life Ansi and I had together, the plans we made, the family we hoped to build here, all vanished in a moment of senseless anti-immigrant rage.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ansi Alibava. Photograph: Facebook

Hussein Mohamed Khalil Moustafa

70-year old Hussein Mohamed Khalil Moustafa moved to Christchurch 20 years ago from Egypt. His daughter Arwa said he prayed at the same corner of the mosque every week. “He considered New Zealand to be his home and he wanted to be buried there,” she told the NZ Herald. “I’m just glad he died at home. I take solace in knowing he died in his favourite place.”

Ali Mah’d Elmadani

Retired engineer Ali Almadani, 66, came to New Zealand from the United Arab Emirates in 1998 and held a joint New Zealand and Jordan citizenship.

His daughter, Maha Elmadani, is a Christchurch-based graphic designer, and told news site Stuff.co.nz that her father had died on Friday.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ali Elmadani. Photograph: NZ Herald

Naeem Rashid & Talha Naeem

Father and son Naeem Rashid and 21-year-old Talha Naeem were both killed on Friday.

Pakistan’s foreign affairs minister tweeted that the pair were confirmed killed.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Naeem Rashid. Photograph: launchgood

Khaled Mwafak Alhaj-Mustafa

Syrian refugee Khaled Mustafa had survived civil war and atrocities in Syria before he was killed on Friday in the terrorist attack. He died at Christchurch hospital after being shot at Al Noor mosque, the only person to die after admission to the emergency department.

Ali Akil, a spokesman for the group Syrian Solidarity New Zealand said Mustafa’s wife confirmed he had been killed.

“[They] survived atrocities” and “arrived here in a safe haven only to be killed in the most atrocious way,” said Akil. “They were just looking for a safe place.”

Hamza Khaled Alhaj-Mustafa:

Khaled’s son Hamza also died, just two days after his 16th birthday. The Year 10 student had only arrived in New Zealand months ago, with his family. His death was confirmed by his mother, and by the principal of Cashmere high school.

Linda Susan Armstrong

Linda Armstrong, 65, worked with refugees and attended mosque every Friday. Her nephew Kyron Gosse told CNN she was from west Auckland originally, and had moved to Christchurch to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter. She was killed at the Linwood mosque.

Muhammad Zeeshan Raza, Ghulam Hussain and Karam Bibi

Three family members – a mother, father and son – were all killed at the Linwood mosque. Zeeshan Raza, 38, was an engineer who moved to Christchurch from Pakistan in December. His father, 67-year-old Ghulam Hussain, and mother, Karam Bibi, 55, had come to New Zealand in February to visit him. They are survived by Maryam Gul, who is Zeeshan’s sister and Ghulam and Karam’s daughter.

Farhaj Ahsan, 30

The Indian national had moved from Hyderabad 10 years ago and worked as an electrical engineer. “Nobody was imagining in New Zealand - which is a peace-loving country - such [a] situation arises,” his father Sayeeduddin told the BBC.

Syed Jahandad Ali

Software developer Syed Ali, 34, had been a senior figure at IT company Intergen in Christchurch for the past seven years. His colleagues and Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed his death on Sunday. “Our much-loved colleague Syed Ali has lost his life,” Intergen CEO Simon Bright said on Sunday.

Musa Vali Suleman Patel

Hafiz Musa was the imam of the Lautoka Jame mosque in Fiji, visiting his son in Christchurch. His death was confirmed by the president of the Fiji Muslim League on Sunday.

Tariq Rashid Omar

Tariq RashidOmar, 24, was a graduate of Cashmere high school, where Hamza Mustafa and Sayyad Milne also attended. Cashmere principal Mark Wilson confirmed on Monday that Omar, along with the two boys, had died on Friday.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Former Cashmere High School student Tariq Omar, 24. Photograph: NZ Herald

Hussein Al-Umari

35-year old Hussein Al-Umari came to Christchurch from the United Arab Emirates in 1997, with his sister Aya. He loved going on walks and made video blogs every time he went on holiday. Aya confirmed to Australian Associated Press on Monday that Hussein had been killed at Al Noor mosque.

Kamel Moh’d Kamal Kamel Darwish

38-year old Kamel Darwish, a father of three, had come to New Zealand six months ago from Jordan. He was working on a dairy farm and waiting for his wife and children to come join him. His brother Zuhair and the Palestinian foreign ministry confirmed he had been killed.

Zuhair had lived in New Zealand since 2007, and had told Kamel to come. “It’s very hard to live in Jordan and I told him, come here, it’s the best place that you can raise your child in,” he said.

Muhammad Suhail Shahid

Muhammad Suhail Shahid, 36, was an engineer who moved to Christchurch with his wife, Asma, and two daughters, aged two and five. Asma told Stuff “his daughters were his life”.

Abdelfattah Qasem:

Abdelfattah Qasem,60, moved to New Zealand in the 1990s after the first Gulf War, and had just moved to Christchurch. He was due to be a grandfather next month. His relatives and the Palestinian foreign ministry confirmed his death.

Arifbhai and Ramiz Arifbhai Vora



Arif Vora, 58, and his son Ramiz, 28, were both killed at Al Noor mosque. Ramiz had just had a daughter a week before the shooting, relatives told Stuff.

Haroon Mahmood

Dr Haroon Mahmood, 40, was an academic who tutored and lectured in economics at a range of universities in Christchurch. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Syed Areeb Ahmed

27-year old Syed Areeb Ahmed moved to New Zealand from Karachi in Pakistan 18 months ago to work as an accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and send money back home.

Mohsin Mohammed Al-Harbi

63-year-old Mohsin Mohammed Al-Harbi had lived in New Zealand for 25 years and was a part-time imam, sometimes delivering the Friday sermon. He worked in water desalination. His wife, Manal, had a heart attack while searching for him following the shooting and had to go to hospital.

He was one of the first five victims whose identity was confirmed by New Zealand police.

His employer, Showerwell Home Products, wrote that he was “a real character and a kind and caring Kiwi”.

Ahmed Gamal Eldin Mohamed Abdel Ghany

58-year-old Ahmed Gamal Eldin Mohamed Abdel Ghany was a dual citizen of Egypt and New Zealand. He was killed at Al Noor mosque.

Abdukadir Elmi

65-year-old Abdukadir Elmi was killed at Al Noor mosque.

Osama Adnan Yousef Abukwaik

Palestinian Osama Adnan Yousef Abukwaik, 37, was born in Gaza and immigrated to New Zealand from Egypt following the Arab Spring. He had a masters of engineering. His brother told Stuff.co.nz that he was “genuinely in love” with Christchurch and “couldn’t stop telling me how hospitable the people are.” He leaves behind a wife and three daughters.

Muse Nur Awale

Muse Nur Awale, 77, had been living in Christchurch for about 30 years. He was killed at Al Noor mosque.

Mounir Guirgis Soliman

68-year-old Mounir Guirgis Soliman had worked as an engineer and quality manager at a local engineering firm since 1997, Stuff.co.nz reported. His death was confirmed by the company, who said he was a “lovely man.”

Muhammad Abdus Samad

Dr Abdus Samad, 66, came to New Zealand from Bangladesh and was a teacher at Lincoln University and, according to Stuff.co.nz, frequently led prayers at Al Noor mosque. His son Toha Mohammad confirmed his death on Saturday.

Ashraf Ali

61-year-old Ashraf Ali moved to New Zealand from Fiji in 2002. He was killed at Al Noor mosque.

Lilik Abdul Hamid

Indonesian man Lilik Abdul Hamid, 58, left behind a wife and two children. Indonesia’s foreign minister conveyed his “deepest condolences and sympathy” to his family.

Amjad Kasem Hamid

Palestinian doctor Amjad Kasem Hamid had moved to New Zealand 23 years ago because he wanted a better future for his family. Police confirmed on Wednesday that the 57-year-old was killed at tAl Noor mosque.

“It’s terrible ... we were hoping to find a better future for us and for the children we were planning to have,” his wife Hanan said.

Matiullah Safi

Matiullah Safi, 55, came to New Zealand from Afghanistan via India around 2010 and is survived by a wife and seven children.

Ashraf El-Moursy Ragheb

54-year-old Ashraf El-Moursy Ragheb moved to New Zealand from Cairo in the 1990s and maintained a dual citizenship with Egypt. He died at Al Noor mosque.

Mohamad Moosid Mohamedhosen

55-year-old Mohamad Moosid Mohamedhosen came to New Zealand from Mauritius. His death was confirmed by New Zealand police.

Dr Mojammel Hoq

Dr Mojammel Hoq, 32, had been working as a medical professional in Christchurch for three years. His cousin told Stuff.co.nz he planned to return home to Bangladesh in September to marry his girlfriend and start a dental clinic.

Ozair Kadir

Ozair Kadir, 24, was a student pilot at the Aviation Academy of New Zealand and moved to Christchurch about 12 months ago. He was originally from India and killed at Al Noor mosqe.

Muhammad Haziq Mohd-Tarmizi

Muhammad Haziq Mohd-Tarmizi turned 17 last month and was studying year 12 at Burnside High School. He moved to Christchurch from Malaysia about 18 months ago and was described by his principle as “a great young man who had the respect of his mates and his teachers.”

His father, Mohd Tarmizi Shuib, was injured in the attack while his mother and younger brother escaped.

Missing or injured

Zulfirman and Averroes Syah

Father and son Zulfirman and Averroes Syah are injured but alive.

Alta Marie, Zulfirman’s husband, said he shielded their son from bullets during the attack. Zulfirman is in a stable condition following extensive surgery, Marie said, while Averroes, aged two, only suffered minor injuries thanks to his father’s actions.

“While he is still in the intensive care unit at this stage, he will be moved to the general ward whenever it is deemed appropriate - likely in the next day or so,” she told the New Zealand Herald. “His condition has only improved since he arrived at the hospital yesterday.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Zulfirman Syah. Photograph: Facebook

• Crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day. In New Zealand, the crisis support service Lifeline can be reached on 0800 543 354. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Irish Republic, contact Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.