Feature: Christchurch community gathers to mourn terror victims

by Levi J Parsons

Christchurch, New Zealand, March 17 (Xinhua) -- With cold, dark, gloomy clouds hovering above Christchurch and fallen Autumn leaves lining the footpath outside the botanical gardens in New Zealand's terror-hit Christchurch, a community choir sings in the rain for hundreds of people to mourn the victims of the nation's worst ever terror attacks.

Among the sombre scene, a number of people from the local Muslim community embraced one another in tears, while others laid flowers along the fence of the wreath wall near where the shooting took place on Friday.

"We are a family of Tuvaluans, we are a small community that lives in Christchurch now and this (singing) is our way of paying our respects," choir member Puava Fiamalua told Xinhua on Sunday.

"This is quite a big thing for us, some of us are workmates with some of the people that have been affected by this tragedy."

"But as you can see, all the people are gathering around here to mourn together for all the people that have lost their loved ones," said Fiamalua.

"We have all come here together. People are united."

With the death toll of the racially motivated mass shooting now climbing to 50 after another body was found Sunday at one of the mosques where the gunman opened fire, authorities fear the number may reach even higher as dozens of other victims still remain in hospital.

But according to media reports, if it was not for the heroic actions of a man named Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah, the lives of many more people may have been lost.

The 48-year-old father of four actively chased the gunman out of the Linwood mosque, even throwing a credit card machine at the shooter to prevent him from firing at more worshippers who were still inside the building.

By screaming "come here!" at the gunman outside the mosque, Wahabzadah forced the startled gunman to flee the scene in his vehicle.

Although Wahabzadah has downplayed his bravery during the attack, Imam at the Linwood mosque Latef Alabi told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, his fearless actions helped save many lives.

While the heinous attacks were carried out in an attempt to sow discord among the city's diverse ethnic groups, New Zealand's outpouring of unity in the wake of the massacre has helped to render the gunman's intentions unsuccessful.

"One of the songs we sang is called We Are One Big Happy Family," Fiamalua said.

"It is a chorus that we wanted to sing for Christchurch so we can all come together and stand as one family, and help each other and comfort each other during this tragedy."