You made the effort of finding the timing of prayers.
You somehow learnt that Fridays are the days where men go to the mosques for their congregational prayers.
You thought killing 50 Muslims would stop Islam.
But you didn’t know that what you did probably made them martyrs.
Bet you didn’t know that you had single-handedly raised the statuses of our brothers in the eyes of their beloved Creator with his 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 he did, at the time and place he chose, it actually meant that the last words that escaped the victims’ lips were probably words of remembrance and praise of Allah. Which is a noble end many Muslims could only dream of.
And perhaps you didn’t know, but what he did would almost guarantee them paradise as they died a shahid death.
You didn’t know you unwittingly showed the world how Muslims welcome, with open arms, even people like yourself into our mosques, which is our second home.
And that you showed that our mosques have no locks or gates, and are unguarded because everyone and anyone is welcome to join and be with us.
And that you let the world see the powerful image of a man he injured, lying on back on the stretcher with his index finger raised high, as a declaration of his faith and complete trust in Allah.
And oh you brought the Churches and communities together to stand with us Muslims with rallies, vigils, observances of silence.
And 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.
Sure you have broken many, many hearts and made the world weep. You left a huge void.
But what you did also had also brought us closer together. And it has strengthened our faith and resolve.
In the coming weeks, more people will turn up in the mosques - a place you hate so much - and show more sympathy to Muslims and refugees whom you hate so much, fortified by the strength in their faith, and inspired by their fallen brothers and sisters.
In the coming weeks, more non-Muslims will turn up at the gates of mosques with fresh flowers and beautifully handwritten notes. They may not have known previously where the mosques in their area was. But now, they do. All because of you.
You may have achieved your short-sighted aim of intended destruction, but you have failed to incite hatred, fear and despair in all of us.
And while I understand that it may have been your objective, I hate to say that after all of that elaborate planning, and the perverse and wretched efforts on your part, you still failed to drive a divide among the the Muslims and non-Muslims in the world.
For that, I can’t say that I’m sorry. I can only feel almost sorry for you instead for failing.
Because the Quran was recited in the New Zealand Parliament.
The azan was called across the country.
The Khutbah (sermon) was aired on television and also attended to by others.
The Hadith was read by the Prime Minister.
The hijab was donned by New Zealand women.
The cowardly act you committed only brought all of New Zealanders out as a nation which stands together with the Muslim community in time of need and made everyone united, stronger and more loving.
Now, if only the rest of the world can emulate the New Zealanders and treat others who consider their country as their adopted home no matter their religion, race, faith, colour as one of themselves. The little Kiwi nation can shame the rest of the world.
You somehow learnt that Fridays are the days where men go to the mosques for their congregational prayers.
You thought killing 50 Muslims would stop Islam.
But you didn’t know that what you did probably made them martyrs.
Bet you didn’t know that you had single-handedly raised the statuses of our brothers in the eyes of their beloved Creator with his 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 he did, at the time and place he chose, it actually meant that the last words that escaped the victims’ lips were probably words of remembrance and praise of Allah. Which is a noble end many Muslims could only dream of.
And perhaps you didn’t know, but what he did would almost guarantee them paradise as they died a shahid death.
You didn’t know you unwittingly showed the world how Muslims welcome, with open arms, even people like yourself into our mosques, which is our second home.
And that you showed that our mosques have no locks or gates, and are unguarded because everyone and anyone is welcome to join and be with us.
And that you let the world see the powerful image of a man he injured, lying on back on the stretcher with his index finger raised high, as a declaration of his faith and complete trust in Allah.
And oh you brought the Churches and communities together to stand with us Muslims with rallies, vigils, observances of silence.
And 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.
Sure you have broken many, many hearts and made the world weep. You left a huge void.
But what you did also had also brought us closer together. And it has strengthened our faith and resolve.
In the coming weeks, more people will turn up in the mosques - a place you hate so much - and show more sympathy to Muslims and refugees whom you hate so much, fortified by the strength in their faith, and inspired by their fallen brothers and sisters.
In the coming weeks, more non-Muslims will turn up at the gates of mosques with fresh flowers and beautifully handwritten notes. They may not have known previously where the mosques in their area was. But now, they do. All because of you.
You may have achieved your short-sighted aim of intended destruction, but you have failed to incite hatred, fear and despair in all of us.
And while I understand that it may have been your objective, I hate to say that after all of that elaborate planning, and the perverse and wretched efforts on your part, you still failed to drive a divide among the the Muslims and non-Muslims in the world.
For that, I can’t say that I’m sorry. I can only feel almost sorry for you instead for failing.
Because the Quran was recited in the New Zealand Parliament.
The azan was called across the country.
The Khutbah (sermon) was aired on television and also attended to by others.
The Hadith was read by the Prime Minister.
The hijab was donned by New Zealand women.
The cowardly act you committed only brought all of New Zealanders out as a nation which stands together with the Muslim community in time of need and made everyone united, stronger and more loving.
Now, if only the rest of the world can emulate the New Zealanders and treat others who consider their country as their adopted home no matter their religion, race, faith, colour as one of themselves. The little Kiwi nation can shame the rest of the world.
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