Son of Christchurch mosque shooting delivers powerful speech toward Brenton Tarrant

The son of a Christchurch mosque massacre victim has called on a judge to make sure the ‘maggot’ who shot and killed 51 innocent people while they were praying is never released from jail.

Victims’ family members have delivered spine-tingling and heartbreaking stories of grief to the New Zealand High Court as the sentencing of Brenton Tarrant continues on Wednesday.

Tarrant is being sentenced after admitting to killing 51 people on March 15 last year at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. He admitted to 51 charges of murder, 40 charges of attempted murder, and one charge of committing a terrorist act.

Tarrant sat just five metres away from victims’ family members, separated only by a glass panel as he listened to their stories. 

Ahad Nabi, clad in a New Zealand Warriors rugby league jersey, moved his body to face the terrorist as he spoke, his speech dripping with venom after losing his father, Haj Mohemmed Daoud Nabi. 

A police vehicle is seen in front of Al Noor Mosque while the sentencing hearing of Brenton Harrison Tarrant is taking place at Christchurch High Court on August 25

Ahad Nabi is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Ahad Nabi is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Ahad Nabi's father Haj Mohemmed Daoud Nabi (pictured) was shot dead by Tarrant at Al Noor Mosque on March 15 last year

Ahad Nabi’s father Haj Mohemmed Daoud Nabi (pictured) was shot dead by Tarrant at Al Noor Mosque on March 15 last year

Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant arrives for his sentencing hearing at Christchurch High Court on August 26

Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant arrives for his sentencing hearing at Christchurch High Court on August 26

‘You hurt my father but you never took him away from me. What I mean by this is that you physically hurt him but you gifted my father with becoming a martyr and he’s returned to Allah,’ Mr Nabi began. 

He described Tarrant as a coward after he shot at ‘defenceless people who were not aware what was going on until it was too late’. 

‘Your actions were of a gutless character. There is nothing heroic of your actions,’ Nabi said. 

Mr Nabi said he did not forgive Tarrant before asking a special request of the judge. 

‘I ask from you, your honour, that this scum of the world never be allowed to walk from the prison in his lifetime,’ Mr Nabi said. 

‘I ask that he be put into mainstream prison to stop wasting taxpayer money giving him special treatment.

‘Coming back to this maggot … my 71-year-old dad would have broke you in half if you challenged him to a fight. 

‘But you are weak. A sheep with a wolf’s jacket on for 10 minutes of your whole life.  

‘I am strong and you made me even stronger,’ Mr Nabi concluded, flexing his arms to show his biceps and sticking up his middle fingers.      

'My name is Sara Qasem. Daughter of a hero. Daughter of a shining, glimmering man ... daughter of a martyr. Of Abdelfattah Qasem. Remember that name,' she said firmly (pictured)

‘My name is Sara Qasem. Daughter of a hero. Daughter of a shining, glimmering man … daughter of a martyr. Of Abdelfattah Qasem. Remember that name,’ she said firmly (pictured)

'I ask from you, your honour, that this scum of the world never be allowed to walk from the prison in his lifetime,' Mr Nabi said

‘I ask from you, your honour, that this scum of the world never be allowed to walk from the prison in his lifetime,’ Mr Nabi said

Nor Abd Wahib and her husband Rahimi Bin Ahmad are seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Nor Abd Wahib and her husband Rahimi Bin Ahmad are seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant arrives for his sentencing hearing at Christchurch High Court on August 26

Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant arrives for his sentencing hearing at Christchurch High Court on August 26

Another victim, Sara Qasem, was not originally listed on the court plans but rose to speak on behalf of her father Abdelfattah, murdered at Al Noor mosque.

‘My name is Sara Qasem. Daughter of a hero. Daughter of a shining, glimmering man … daughter of a martyr. Of Abdelfattah Qasem. Remember that name,’ she said firmly.

‘My dad never left. He could have left but he stayed behind to help his brothers. Putting others before himself.’

Ms Qasem drew tears from every corner of the courtroom as she grieved for her lost father.

‘I’d never really known what the meaning of a broken heart was until then,’ she said.

‘I want to go on more road trips with him.

‘Smell his home cooking. His cologne.’

Mustafa Boztas delivers a heartbreaking story during Tarrant's sentencing on August 26

Mustafa Boztas delivers a heartbreaking story during Tarrant’s sentencing on August 26

Che Ta Binti Mat Ludin is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Che Ta Binti Mat Ludin is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Hasmine Mohamedhosen is seen reading a victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing on August 26

Hasmine Mohamedhosen is seen reading a victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing on August 26

Mulki Husein Abdiwahab delivers her heartbreaking speech during the hearing on August 26

Mulki Husein Abdiwahab delivers her heartbreaking speech during the hearing on August 26

Crying, she composed herself and eyeballed Tarrant, saying ‘these tears are not for you’.

‘To hear his deep belly laugh,’ she continued.

‘I want to hear him tell me more about the olive trees in Palestine. I want to hear his voice.’

Ms Qasem’s moving testimony came alongside those who gave more pointed addresses.  

The rich displays of emotion inside the courtroom contrast sharply with the everyday collegiality in the halls of the Christchurch courthouse between sessions.

Outside proceedings, victims, family members, support workers and police mingle and chat, showing the sense of community that they have built and often referred to in statements.

John Milne holds a photograph of his son, Sayyad Milne, who was killed, as his daughter, Brydie Henry, looks on

John Milne holds a photograph of his son, Sayyad Milne, who was killed, as his daughter, Brydie Henry, looks on

Weedad Mohamedhosen is seen in court on August 26 describing the impact the massacre had on her

Weedad Mohamedhosen is seen in court on August 26 describing the impact the massacre had on her

Encouragingly, after giving their contributions, victims often say they are left with a sense of relief, empowerment and strength.

‘When I saw him shooting people, I was not the one in control. He was,’ Rosemary Omar, who lost her 24-year-old son Tariq Omar, told AAP.

‘It was empowering to get some of that power back that the perpetrator took from us when he killed our son.’

Rashid Omar, Rosemary’s husband and Tariq’s father, said he felt a full range of emotions while addressing Tarrant.

‘At first I was emotional reading about my sadness and loss but I gained strength. I got more angry after that,’ he said.

‘I looked right at him, that really helped.’

Sahadat Mohammed and his wife during Tarrant's sentencing on August 26 in New Zealand's High Court

Sahadat Mohammed and his wife during Tarrant’s sentencing on August 26 in New Zealand’s High Court

Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui (R) is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 25

Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui (R) is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 25

Kyron Gosse is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 25

Kyron Gosse is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 25

Mr Omar told the court he felt ‘broken inside’, lost his enjoyment of life, and eyeballed Tarrant, telling him would never be able to forgive him.

‘When I said I will never be able to forgive you, he just nodded,’ he said.

‘I felt like I was in control. He was looking and me and I was staring back at him.

‘I saw him nod, agree with me … like ‘fair enough’.’

The full hearings will not be seen by the public, with Justice Cameron Mander placing restrictions on what can be broadcast and some speakers choosing not to allow recordings.

It is unlikely the court has seen many contributions quite like Ms Qasem’s, who finished her statement by comparing the rebuilding of her community to the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which repairs broken pottery with gold leaf.

‘Our hearts may be broken … but slowly and surely we are reassembling each crack with a lining of gold,’ she said.

‘The gold is the love, the aroha, the New Zealand community, our friends and neighbours, the flower wall, the government.

‘In the end, love wins and love will always win.’