Ahmed Iqbal Jahangir recalls the dreadful day he was shot on the shoulder while looking out for others at the Linwood mosque. Still, he remains grateful to the people of Christchurch and the community for coming forward and supporting in his and his family’s hour of distress.
Jahangir still tries to pacify his elder son, who is in primary school when the subject of Mosque shooting comes to his mind. Even after a year after the incident, Jahangir and his family feel the trauma and help each other to drive through those painful memories.
Chairperson of the Linwood Mosque, Jahangir went to the mosque on March 15 with his wife who prayed in the women’s section. While he and the rest of the congregation were in the second part of the prayers, gunshots were heard, the Imam of the prayer leading it stopped midway, and so did the rest of congregation.
From Left: Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah and Ahmed Iqbal Jahangir in Auckland (IWK Image)
The group dispersed hearing more gunshots, trying to escape the oncoming peril. Jahangir looking out for others, asked people to lay low and move to the corners. Trying to figure out where the gunman was in order to assist others in escaping, Jahangir emerged from behind a wall as the gunman appeared right in front of him shot him on his right shoulder.
Jahangir profusely bled from his shoulder and mouth, which he spat as blood in his lungs would trouble his breathing. He recalls being taken in an ambulance approximately ten minutes later, where he mustered all his courage to remain awake and conscious.
His wife, Tazeen Fatima, suffered a fractured shoulder and multiple cuts from broken glasses. Ms Fatima met her children from kindergarten and one at primary school; both were in lockdown during the day. She met her husband Jahangir the next morning when who was covered in the ventilator with tubes attached to him.
In the coming days, Jahangir’s brothers travelled from Australia and India to help support Jahangir and his family.
One year on, after multiple surgeries and with a cocktail of numerous painkillers every day, Jahangir still remains out of work and has lost his right arm permanently.
Even after going through this tribulation, Jahangir never fails to visit the mosque for his five times daily prayers and adds that his faith has become stronger. Besides thanking Allah for the gift of second life, he thanks the government and the extended community living in Christchurch for the love and support received over the months.
Ahmed Iqbal Jahangir's brothers Mohammed Janveer Jahangir (left) and Mohammed Khursheed Jahangir. Photo: Photo / Charlotte Cook
Speaking about the recent threats at Al Noor mosque, Jahangir says he is hopeful and positive that the law enforcement is taking good care of it and are vigilant to such instances.
“Yes, there are a few notorious elements who will try to undermine the positivity in the community and create nuisance trying to disturb the peace in the community, but together we have, and we will fail their intentions,” Jahangir said.
Linwood mosque has increased its security measures by installing high tech cameras in and around the mosque, high fencing, vigilant lookouts by the police and volunteers, electronically locked gates with access card entry to the worshippers regular to the mosque. A year since the attack, but police personnel keep a close watch at the mosque and be present there every Friday during the congregational prayers.
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