Woman who lost man she considers a granddad in Christchurch mosque attack now 'terrified' for her safety

March 15, 2019

Yasmin Ali says she is now scared to wear her headscarf on the street.

A woman who lost a man she considers a granddad in one of the terror attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday says she's "scared for her future".

Forty-nine people were killed and 48 remain in hospital injured after shooting attacks on mosques in Linwood Ave and Deans Ave.

Speaking to 1 NEWS Yasmin Ali said she's lost close family friends and she's shocked such an atrocity was carried out in New Zealand.

"Family friends that we’ve known for 19 years - dead. People who were there for my engagement - dead. You don’t think something like this can happen in New Zealand, in Christchurch of all places with such a small community, kind and loving," she said.

Ms Ali says she can't comprehend the attacks.

"So I just don’t understand why someone would hurt us like this in such a way – why would you treat us like that? We’ve done nothing wrong to you."

She says, as a Muslim woman she now fears for her safety.

"What terrifies me is that there's people out there who are enjoying this  ... that support this, it pushes their cause even more and I really scared for our future. I’m terrified. I don’t know if I’m going to feel safe walking by myself wearing my headscarf and I’ve never felt that way before."

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