• e-mail

New Zealanders are calling for the son of a Christchurch mosque victim to be honoured after his stunning take-down of his father's killer in court on Wednesday.

Ahad Nabi, whose father Haj was killed in the attacks on March 15 last year which left 51 dead, gave Brenton Tarrant a venomous address at the sentencing hearing.

An angry Mr Nabi told the mass murderer his 71-year-old father 'would have snapped you in half in a fight' before raising both middle fingers toward the Australian gunman.

'Your father was a garbage man and you became trash of society,' Mr Nabi said.

'He is ashamed of your identity. You deserve to be buried in a landfill. This world was created with colour, a peasant like you will never change the human race.'

The striking image of Mr Nabi - wearing the jersey of NRL team New Zealand Warriors and a traditional hat - giving the fingers was widely shared online, with thousands calling for the moment to be officially recognised.

Ahad Nabi is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

'Ahad Nabi. New Zealander of the Year!' one man wrote on Twitter. 

'The mana of this man deserves New Zealander of the Year,' another tweeted.

If nominated, Mr Nabi would go head-to-head against a huge field of candidates that included Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and even a cat called Mittens who roams the tattoo parlours and churches of Wellington.

'This year's New Zealander of the Year competition is currently between five million people who can barely follow simple instructions and a transient cat that roams the capital,' someone else shared on social media.

He added: 'I think we can safely give it to the Warriors jersey-wearing, bird-flicking legend that is Ahad Nabi.' 

The striking image was shared on social media, with hundreds of Kiwis calling for the young man to be named New Zealander of the Year

The annual award is given to a New Zealander who 'has made a big, positive contribution to our country this year,' according to the website.

Previous winners include All Blacks legend Richie McCaw and BAFTA award-winning director Sir Richard Taylor.

A number of users also called for Mr Nabi to be made a lifelong member of the New Zealand Warriors. 

'It's official. We've just witnessed the best use of the bird in NZ history. New Zealand Warriors must give Ahad Nabi a life membership immediately,' one person wrote.

'The New Zealand Warriors should gift Ahad Nabi a lifetime membership with lounge access,' added someone else.

Ahad Nabi's father Haj Mohemmed Daoud Nabi (pictured) was shot dead by Tarrant at Al Noor Mosque on March 15 last year

Others used Twitter to express their support Mr Nabi. One said: 'There's a time and a place for venting one's true feelings - but in a courtroom, it was especially the time and place'

Others used Twitter to express their support Mr Nabi.

'There's a time and a place for venting one's true feelings - but in a courtroom, it was especially the time and place. Ahad Nabi, your sign language speaks loudly for all of us,' writer and anti-racism advocate Duncan Stuart wrote.

'I can only cry when l watch this. I just can't decide if l'm crying with despair at the utter heartless disregard that creature showed fellow humans, or the unbelievable courage and generosity of spirit of the survivors,' another shared.

Mr Nabi spoke at a sentencing hearing for Tarrant alongside 90 other victims and their family members, almost all of whom asked he judge to impose the maximum penalty - life in prison without possibility of parole.

'I ask from you, your honour, that this scum of the world never be allowed to walk from the prison in his lifetime,' Mr Nabi said

Tarrant has admitted 51 counts of murder and 40 of attempted murder alongside a charge of terrorism. He sat emotionless throughout most of the hearing, passing up his chance to address the court and instead having his lawyer read a statement. 

'You hurt my father but you never took him away from me. What I mean by this is that you physically hurt him but you gifted my father with becoming a martyr and he's returned to Allah,' Mr Nabi began.

He described Tarrant as a coward after he shot at 'defenceless people who were not aware what was going on until it was too late'. 

'Your actions were of a gutless character. There is nothing heroic of your actions,' Nabi said. 

Mr Nabi told Tarrant that his 71-year-old father 'would have snapped you in half in a fight', then called the killer a 'coward'

Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant arrives for his sentencing hearing at Christchurch High Court on August 26

Mr Nabi said he did not forgive Tarrant before asking a special request of the judge. 

'I ask from you, your honour, that this scum of the world never be allowed to walk from the prison in his lifetime,' Mr Nabi said.

'I ask that he be put into mainstream prison to stop wasting taxpayer money giving him special treatment.

'Coming back to this maggot ... my 71-year-old dad would have broke you in half if you challenged him to a fight. 

'But you are weak. A sheep with a wolf's jacket on for 10 minutes of your whole life.  

'I am strong and you made me even stronger,' Mr Nabi concluded, flexing his arms to show his biceps and sticking up his middle fingers.      

'My name is Sara Qasem. Daughter of a hero. Daughter of a shining, glimmering man ... daughter of a martyr. Of Abdelfattah Qasem. Remember that name,' she said firmly (pictured)

Nor Abd Wahib and her husband Rahimi Bin Ahmad are seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Manal Dokhan points a finger at Tarrant as she gives a statement during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday

Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah looks Tarrant directly in the eyes during his victim impact statement at a court in Christchurch

Hazem Mohammed is temporarily overcome with emotion while speaking at the High Court in Christchurch

Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant arrives for his sentencing hearing at Christchurch High Court on August 26

Another victim, Sara Qasem, was not originally listed on the court plans but rose to speak on behalf of her father Abdelfattah, murdered at Al Noor mosque.

'My name is Sara Qasem. Daughter of a hero. Daughter of a shining, glimmering man ... daughter of a martyr. Of Abdelfattah Qasem. Remember that name,' she said firmly.

'My dad never left. He could have left but he stayed behind to help his brothers. Putting others before himself.'

Ms Qasem emotionally spoke of the experiences she had missed out on due to her father's premature death.

'I'd never really known what the meaning of a broken heart was until then,' she said.

'I want to go on more road trips with him.

'Smell his home cooking. His cologne.'

Crying, she composed herself and eyeballed Tarrant, saying 'these tears are not for you'.

'To hear his deep belly laugh,' she continued.

'I want to hear him tell me more about the olive trees in Palestine. I want to hear his voice.'

Ms Qasem's moving testimony came alongside those who gave more pointed addresses.  

The strong displays of emotion inside the courtroom contrasted with a collegiate spirit in the hallways of the courthouse between sessions.

There victims, family members, support workers and police mingled and chatted, showing the sense of community that they have built and often referred to in statements.

Nathan Smith raises his hand as he speaks about how the attack has impacted him during Tarrant's sentencing hearing

Mustafa Boztas delivers a heartbreaking story during Tarrant's sentencing on August 26

Che Ta Binti Mat Ludin is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 26

Hasmine Mohamedhosen is seen reading a victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing on August 26

Mulki Husein Abdiwahab delivers her heartbreaking speech during the hearing on August 26

After giving their testimony, some victims said they were left with a sense of relief and strength.

'When I saw him shooting people, I was not the one in control. He was,' Rosemary Omar, who lost her 24-year-old son Tariq Omar, told AAP.

'It was empowering to get some of that power back that the perpetrator took from us when he killed our son.'

Rashid Omar, Rosemary's husband and Tariq's father, said he felt a full range of emotions while addressing Tarrant.

'At first I was emotional reading about my sadness and loss but I gained strength. I got more angry after that,' he said. 'I looked right at him, that really helped.'

Mr Omar told the court he felt 'broken inside', lost his enjoyment of life, and eyeballed Tarrant, telling him would never be able to forgive him.

'When I said I will never be able to forgive you, he just nodded,' he said.

'I felt like I was in control. He was looking and me and I was staring back at him.

'I saw him nod, agree with me ... like 'fair enough'.'

Esam Alzhqhoul, right, gestures as he gives his victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing for Tarrant

John Milne holds a photograph of his son, Sayyad Milne, who was killed, as his daughter, Brydie Henry, looks on

Weedad Mohamedhosen is seen in court on August 26 describing the impact the massacre had on her

Sazada Akhter is seen during victim impact statements in the sentencing of mosque terrorist Brenton Tarrant

The father of the attack's youngest victim - three-year-old Mucaad who was shot to death at Al Noor mosque - had a statement read to the court by a family member. 

In the statement, Aden Ibrahim Diriye said: 'You have killed my son and to me it is as if you have killed the whole of New Zealand.

'He used to engage and play with the police; at home he would run around the house pretending to be a cop and wear police uniform. We thought one day he might become a police officer.'

'I don't know you, I never hurt you, your father, mother and any of your friends. Rather I am the type of person who would help you and your family with anything.'

'Know that true justice is waiting for you in the next life and that will be far more severe. I will never forgive you for what you have done.'

Mustafa Boztas, a survivor who was wounded at Al Noor mosque, told Tarrant: 'You are not actually a human, not even an animal since animals are beneficial to the world. 

'You are classified as someone who is dumb enough not to realise that beyond the skin all humans are the same, and all have the same internal organs and function the same. 

'You will be remembered, but as a scared killer and nothing more.'

Hasmine Mohamedhosen, whose brother Mohamed was killed, called Tarrant the 'son of a devil' who she wanted to 'rot in hell between the four walls of your cell for eternity'. 

Wasseim Daragmih is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque terrorist Brenton Tarrant

Sahadat Mohammed and his wife during Tarrant's sentencing on August 26 in New Zealand's High Court

Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui (R) is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 25

Kyron Gosse is seen during the sentencing hearing for Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant on August 25

John Milne, whose 14-year-old son Sayyad was murdered, said since the killings his mental health had suffered, leading to a spell in a psychiatric ward.

'There is a huge hole in my heart that will only heal when I meet Sayyad again in heaven,' he said.

'I hope to see you there too, Brenton, and if you get the chance I'd love you to say sorry to Sayyad. I'm sure he's forgiven you too.'

Showing a photo of his son to the man in the dock, Milne implored: 'Please, just remember his name.'

The full hearings will not be seen by the public, with Justice Cameron Mander placing restrictions on what can be broadcast and some speakers choosing not to allow recordings.

It is unlikely the court has seen many contributions quite like Ms Qasem's, who finished her statement by comparing the rebuilding of her community to the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which repairs broken pottery with gold leaf.

'Our hearts may be broken ... but slowly and surely we are reassembling each crack with a lining of gold,' she said.

'The gold is the love, the aroha, the New Zealand community, our friends and neighbours, the flower wall, the government.

'In the end, love wins and love will always win.'