NZ Tragedy: Acts of Kindness That Restore Our Faith in Community
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
This quote from the movie “Wonder”, explains why one should always choose to be kind to others. Showing an act of kindness, however, needs a lot of courage and strength in character. And, those who manage to do that deserve to be recognized for their actions.
The recent attack in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, has shaken our faith in humanity. Forty-nine people were shot down and more than 40 injured in the terror attack.
However, besides depressing footages of the shooting, there were many stories on social media of heroic kindness that make us believe that there is still some hope left. These stories not only restore our faith in humanity but also inspire us to be a better person.
Naeem Rashid surely is “The Real Hero” and he makes us Pakistanis really proud
Naeem Rashid, who lost his son, Talha, in the shooting lunged at the attacker with his bare hands. A Muslim man from Abbottabad sacrificed his life to save that of others and died as a hero.
BREAKING: Naeem Rashid will be honoured with a posthumous bravery award after trying to wrestle the gun from the killer’s hands. He died in hospital along with his 21 year old son @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/rJzqKp07D8
— Sophie Walsh (@sophie_walsh9) March 16, 2019
Age is no barrier when it comes to helping one another
A 66-year-old woman helped one of the men who was injured during the shooting. She pulled him into her car, while shots were still being fired and rushed the injured Muslim man to the hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries.
"No, that's not fireworks."
2 men fell on either side of this woman's car as a bullet sailed over her during the #ChristchurchShootings in New Zealand #Christchurch pic.twitter.com/ijoZ55tl36
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) March 15, 2019
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won hearts of the Muslim community across the world just by saying, “They are us”
She visited the local Muslim community the very next day of the tragic incident and consoled the grieving families. The PM declared Friday’s Christchurch shooting as the darkest day of New Zealand and affirmed to reform the gun laws of the country.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visiting a makeshift memorial at the Kilbirnie Mosque.
Look at how she holds and consoles them. With so much love. This is what you call a LEADER.
Retweet ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4XMJXYtZZn
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) March 17, 2019
New Zealand’s rugby star Sonny Bill Williams posted an emotional tweet
One of the first tweets on the Christchurch massacres came from the country’s Rugby Star Sonny Bill Williams. In an emotional Twitter post, Williams pay tribute to the Christchurch victims and said that he couldn’t believe something so tragic happened in New Zealand.
New Zealand multiple shooting at two mosques in Christchurch – watch this clip from NZ rugby star @SonnyBWilliams pic.twitter.com/GaMyqTyZwQ
— Ashraf Garda (@AshrafGarda) March 15, 2019
Australian Egg Boy won hearts of many when he cracked an egg on a Senator for his racist comments
An Australian young boy smashed an egg on the Australian Senator Fraser Anning for his divisive comments about the shooting. The senator blamed Muslim immigration program in New Zealand for the Christchurch massacre. Fraser also punched the teenager in front of the camera, causing an extraordinary tide of backlash from all sides.
The 17-year-old, affectionately called the “Egg Boy”, received $30,000 from his supporters for his legal defense, which he decided to donate to the Christchurch victims.
A teenager boy egged Australian Senator Fraser Anning for his disgusting comments in the wake of #NewZealandTerroristAttack in which he blamed Muslim immigrants. Look how the Senator immediately attacked the boy! #NaeemRashid #Muslims pic.twitter.com/PRcNSOWiFY
— Hannan ? (@iamhannan8) March 16, 2019
A famous biker group pays tribute to the attack victims by performing the traditional Haka dance
A biker gang of New Zealand performed Haka outside the Christchurch mosques (a sign of respect) to honor the victims of the horrific attack. Surrounded by the mourners gathered outside the mosques, the tattooed members said that they don’t have words to explain how hurt they feel for the victims and their families.
Biker crew Black Power,which took name from the civil rights movement & whose members r mostly Maori (indigenous people of #NewZealand) honoured victims of #ChristChurchMassacre by performing Haka(ceremonial dance). White supremacy’s earliest victims honouring its latest victims pic.twitter.com/keETIqWlb0
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) March 18, 2019
Daoud Nabi, an old Afghan man was gunned down by the attacker while rescuing a worshipper.
And this is Daoud Nabi – a man who ran the Afghan Association in #Christchurch and who by all accounts was a hero. (Pic provided and used with family permission). pic.twitter.com/1h5bLsTyAp
— Dominic Harris (@DominicHarris8) March 15, 2019
And, the pictures that fill our hearts with compassion
Muslims in a New Zealand mosque offer prayers while non-Muslims stand at the mosque’s entrance to protect their Muslim brothers and sisters.
#ChristchurchTerrorAttack#TerrorismHasNoReligion
The Citizens Of New Zealand Have Setted An Everlasting Example Of Humanity.
Muslims Are Going To Pray Inside The Mosque, While The People Of New Zealand Standing In Thier Defense Infront Of The Door Of Mosque. pic.twitter.com/sXmjH1CsVR— Muhammad Sufyan Khan (@RealSufyanSays) March 17, 2019