Christchurch Attack First Responder Running for Parliament
Sahra Ahmed knows first-hand what can happen when diverse communities aren’t properly represented.
The Bishopdale, Christchurch resident was working as a nurse when a gunman opened fire on worshippers at the Linwood Islamic Centre and Al Noor Mosque on March 15, 2019 in Aotearoa’s worst modern terror attack.
"I was part of the first responders. One of the young guys came to me and said there's been a shooting at the mosque ... and there were ... deaths,” she said. "I just didn't believe him."
Ahmed and a team of health workers were escorted by the police armed offenders squad to the Linwood Islamic Centre while the gunman was still at large.
“There were bodies in the driveway, bodies everywhere. There was a lot of crying and quietness. I didn't know that silence and noise could actually coexist, but they did,” Ahmed said.
"I have never experienced such a trauma... To go there as a nurse, as a professional trying to save lives... To go there and see the people from my community, the people I've known."
Ahmed came to Aotearoa as an asylum seeker in 1990 from Somalia and is of the Muslim faith.
Community’s lack of representation
She is standing for the Green Party in the Christchurch East electorate in this year’s general election, which takes place on Saturday, October 14.
Ahmed was motivated to run by the lack of representation of people from her community in politics.
"I don't feel we are visible. New Zealand is our home now by choice or by displacement,” she said.
"So if that's the case then the system has to work for us as it works for other people. We’re here to not only be a user of the system, but a contributor and being part of the system as well to improve, and represent."
Ahmed said she hoped by running she would help people in her community be seen.
“My faith is part of my identity... It's part of my tapestry. I think the Muslim community is a growing community with a diverse need, and diverse values as well. Faith is something that unites us,” Ahmed said.
“Nearly 30% of people in this country are born overseas, our political landscape doesn't reflect that. It's a massive number of people who are not getting true representation."
Source: stuff.co.nz
