KUALA LUMPUR: Family members of the late Muhammad Haziq Mohd Tarmizi, 17, who was one of 50 people killed in terrorist attacks on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15, were touched by the support demonstrated by Malaysians during the Solidarity for Peace gathering here, today.
Haziq’s aunt, Zarina Shuib, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the gathering with fellow citizens.
“Indeed, it has been testing times for our family members in New Zealand, where our brother (Mohd Tarmizi) was injured and our nephew (Muhammad Haziq) left us forever due to the attack.
“Our family thanks the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa for visiting our brother there and getting first-hand information on the situation in Christchurch,” she said during the gathering at Dataran Merdeka, this morning.
“Despite this difficult test, we as a family have accepted the fate of Haziq. We support this effort at demonstrating solidarity for peace and harmony among all Malaysians, irrespective of race and religion,” she said, while holding back tears.
On Thursday, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that Haziq, who had been listed as missing for several days, was among the dead in the mass shooting by a white extremist.
The victim’s father, Mohd Tarmizi Shuib, 42, was injured in the attack at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque in Christchurch.
Two other Malaysians, Muhammad Nazril Hisham Omar and Rahimi Ahmad, were also injured, and are being treated at hospitals in the New Zealand city.-Bernama