“Thank you for asking”: The thoughtful question that moved Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has been asked a very thoughtful question by a student at Cashmere High School.
Christchurch’s Cashmere high School is devastated by the Friday terror attack on two mosques which saw the death of 50 innocent Muslim people.
Three students involved in the Christchurch shooting attended the high school.
In the chaos, two students – 14-year-old Sayyad Milne and 16-year-old Hamza Mustafa – died during the attack.
Sayyad was described as having “kind eyes, a big heart and a cheeky smile,” and Hamza who had fled the Syrian Civil war with his family loved horses and had aspired to be a vet.
Hamza’s younger brother, Zaid, was shot during Friday’s events and still remains in hospital suffering gunshot wounds. Their father was killed as well as the father of another Cashmere student and a former student.
The school remains in mourning and yesterday, the Prime Minister stood in front of grieving students and the media to honour fallen friends and family.
“Keep telling their stories. It's them who we need to honour,” she said.
“Don't dwell on his name. Don't dwell on who he is. Dwell on your students and friends, on the Muslim community.”
Ardern also spoke about the change coming to New Zealand’s gun laws and asked students to help her make the country a place where “we don’t let racism exist.”
Ardern’s leadership dealing with Friday’s events has been highly praised internationally.
"We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we are an enclave for extremism," she told New Zealanders in the horrific hours after the attacks.
"We were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things. Because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion, a home for those who share our values, refuge for those who need it.
“And those values, I can assure you, will not and cannot be shaken by this attack."
The New Zealand leader also reminded students on Tuesday their grief was valid and offered channels to receive help if needed.
Nearing the end of her appearance, a young student raised their hand to ask a simple yet profound question.
“How are you?” the student questioned.
“How am I?” Jacinda repeated.
“Thank you for asking,” she said.
“I am very sad.”