Two brothers who believe they lost their father in the Christchurch massacre have made an emotional appearance at the court where an accused gunman will today appear.
Omar Nabi, 43, and Yama Nabi, 45, shared photos of their elderly father Haji Daoud, 71, outside the Christchurch District Court on Saturday morning.
They told stories about how Haji, a father-of-five and retired engineer, moved to New Zealand from Afghanistan in 1977 and set up a new life as one of the 'first Muslims in New Zealand'.
But the family's peaceful existence in the small island nation was forever changed when the brothers were told their father likely hadn't survived his visit to Friday prayers.
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Omar Nabi (right) and Yama Nabi (left) shared photos of their elderly father Haji Daoud, 71, at the Christchurch District Court on Saturday morning. The three people arrested by police in relation to the attack are due to face court on Saturday
Omar (pictured) said his father was one of the first Muslims in New Zealand, opening the Tuam Street mosque in Christchurch, after discovering the country was a 'slice of paradise'
The terrorists opened fire at two mosques and a hospital in Christchurch, while a bomb was also found in the city's south
'I was told at 4.15pm that whoever did not make it … to the high school, they were deceased at the church, they were still there, the bodies were there,' said Omar, who was running late.
Authorities have confirmed at least 49 people were killed in the massacre, the worst shooting in the country's history. At least 40 were hurt, including a five-year-old girl, and a 28-year-old Australian man will face court today charged with murder.
Omar's older brother Yama teared up recalling how he ran toward the mosque after a friend told him there had been a shooting there.
'That's when a brother said there was a shooting at the mosque. I went running toward (it)', he said, before trailing off.
Omar said his father was one of the first Muslims in New Zealand, opening the Tuam Street mosque in Christchurch, after discovering the country was a 'slice of paradise'.
He told how Haji helped refugees.
'He gave them free stuff, he gave them free clothing, he gave them free food.
'He went out of his way to help them. He wouldn't ask for a cent.
'This is not on man, not on.'
Omar said he never would have expected this to happen in New Zealand: 'This is New Zealand, man, multicultural … because it's so calm and relaxed.
Friday March 15, 1.30pm local time (12.30am GMT): Gunman identifying himself as Brenton Tarrant live-streams mass shooting inside the Al Noor Mosque as Friday prayers are underway. The Bangladesh cricket team were on their way to the mosque at the time.
Another shooting takes place at a mosque in Linwood, 3.5 miles to the east.
1.40pm: Police respond to reports of
