Warning - This story discusses details of the 15 March Christchurch mosque shootings.
The man facing sentencing for 51 murders and terrorism charges appeared to show emotion this afternoon as the mother of one of his victims offered her forgiveness.
Janna Ezat says Muslims are able to forgive. Photo: Stuff / Pool
Convicted terrorist Brenton Tarrant is being sentenced in the High Court for the murder of 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques on 15 March 2019.
The hearing is expected to take four days.
Details of the attack were made public as the summary of facts was read for the first time.
The court also heard from 24 victims of the attack.
Janna Ezat, whose son Hussein Al-Umari was murdered at Al Noor Mosque, told the gunman she forgives him.
"I decided to forgive you Mr Tarrant because I don't have hate. I don't have revenge," she said directly to the terrorist.
"In our Muslim faith we say . . . we are able to forgive, forgive.
"I forgive you. Damage was done and Hussein will never be here so I have only one choice to forgive you."
Tarrant nodded in acknowledgment of her words before blinking profusely and wiping one of his eyes.
It was his only show of emotion during the day.
Brenton Tarrant in the dock at the High Court in Christchurch. Photo: Stuff / Pool
Ezat detailed the revelation of her son's injuries, when his body was returned to the family six days later - her birthday.
"Not only my birthday, but it is also Mother's Day in the Middle East where I grew up," she said.
"I was desperately waiting to see Hussein's body to give him the last hug and kiss. I was shocked to see the gruesome extent of this murder and to see his skull wide open with his brain still bleeding in addition to the multiple bullets and openings all over his body.
"This is a very painful image that turned my upcoming birthdays and Mother's Days into a nightmare forever.
"He used to give me flowers for my birthday but instead I got his body."
From lunch to burial
Hussein Al-Umari's sister, Aya Al Umari, told the court she was still lost for words to describe the impact of the loss of Hussein to the family.
"There are no words that do justice to explain what it's like to go from having lunch with your brother one day to burying him in another," she said.
She described her brother as the backbone of the family and to his friends.
"He would give up his time and money and effort if he knew someone was in trouble," she said.
"He would sacrifice his own well-being for the good of the people.
"Hussein was my guardian, not only to me but to the mosque as well.
"He is a hero society deserves to have."
Aya Al Umari is grieving the death of her brother in the attacks. Photo: Stuff / Pool
After the attack, she went to hospital to search for her brother, to no avail.
"It was a gut-wrenching feeling to have to call your mother to tell her 'Hussein might be dead, prepare to grieve'," she said.
His loss had left a hole in her life as the pair used to mark their birthdays together, as they were only one day apart.
"I'll never be able to wake up to his cheeky gifts or contagious smile again," she said.
"My best friend was executed in cold-blooded murder out of hatred.
"I still have the urge to pick up the phone and talk to my brother tell him about my day and rant to him because he's the only one that would understand.
"But now that you've killed him, I've turned to God and that's made my faith in Islam stronger."
Still safe in NZ, victim says
Mazharuddin Syed Ahmed, who witnessed the attack on the Linwood Islamic Centre, said the victims expected to be safe in New Zealand.
"We all come from countries where these things happen," he said.
"We came to New Zealand because it is safe, but after the shooting when we saw how people respected us and treated us all well that made us feel good about New Zealand."
Mazharuddin Syed Ahmed delivers his statement. Photo: Stuff / Pool
He then addressed the gunman.
"There has been so much kindness and support and aid," he said.
"You were a tragedy, you did not help anyone, you did not comfort anyone. You were saviour to none.
"No one will remember you with joy in their hearts."
The last victim to speak today was Mariam Gul, who lost her brother and parents at Linwood Islamic Centre.
The sentencing continues with more victim impact statements tomorrow morning.
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