RONAL DEO
“They just want to help me to move forward. “Those were the words of Saira Bibi Patel while thanking the New Zealand Government for all the support after her husband late Imam Hafiz Musa Patel was slain in the terror attack in Christchurch last year with two other Fijians.
Mrs Bibi said she was very touched by the meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last Thursday who she met together with other family members at the Lautoka Mosque.
Mrs Bibi is very thankful to the New Zealand Government for all the assistance, support and encouragement provided to her since her husband’s death.
“They are always concerned about my whereabouts, how am I keeping myself occupied whether I have taken any course, how am I moving on and how are my children treating me,” she said.
Mrs Bibi said upon being asked she told Prime Minister Ardern that she now resides in Melbourne Australia with her children.
She informed the Prime Minister that following her husband’s death the New Zealand Immigration gave her permanent residence and she now has all the benefits and privileges.
Ms. Bibi added that the New Zealand Victim Support encouraged her to reside in New Zealand whereby she will be given all the privileges, support and care.
However, she said all her five children were residing in Australia and none of them have made their mind to move to New Zealand. While meeting the family members of late Imam Patel, late Ashraf Ali Razat, and late Ashraf Ali, Prime Minister Ardern got emotional.
“As we approach the first anniversary of the terror attack in Christchurch against New Zealand’s Muslim community, we are filled with deep emotion. While I will never know your pain, I carry with me many memories from that day, and the days that followed,” PM Ardern said.
“I want to place on record our deep appreciation for the many messages of support and sympathy we received from Fiji following the March 15 attacks. It gave us strength to know that you stood in solidarity with us. And you sent those messages so swiftly. You were amongst the first.”
“But it was especially moving to receive those messages knowing that you faced your own grief.”