Mum forced to listen as husband and son were gunned down in massacre

A heartbroken woman has revealed how she was hiding in a prayer room and forced to listen as her husband and 21-year-old son were gunned down.

One of the victims of the New Zealand mosque massacre who laid down his life in an attempt to stop the gunman is set to be honoured for his heroic act.

Pakistani national Naeem Rashid, 50, was captured on video trying to tackle the alleged gunman, Brenton Tarrant, outside a Christchurch mosque in a bid to save others.

Mr Rashid was among the 50 people killed when the crazed gunman opened fire on worshippers at Al Noor mosque and Linwood mosque.

Mr Rashid’s wife, Amber Naeem, has revealed how she was forced to listen to her husband and 21-year-old son, Talha, being killed.

Ms Naeem was trapped in a prayer room with about 30 other women and children as the attacker murdered their friends and family.

Naeem Rashid was filmed charging at the shooter in an attempt to disarm him.

She told 7 News that all they could do was listen as people were gunned down.

Like her husband, who was filmed charging at the gunman, her son used his final act to try and save someone else.

“He was 21 years old… but an innocent soul,” Ms Naeem told the news outlet.

“The person was trying to move and he said in his ears ‘don’t, don’t move, stay still… he wanted to save him’.”

The shooter who stormed the mosques opened fire on everyone he saw. As he carried out his murderous rampage many managed to hide in small rooms. They survived by staying quiet. But this meant they were forced to listen to the horror taking place in the rest of the building. pic.twitter.com/zEA7Uh1hIi

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 17, 2019

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan praised Mr Rashid for his bravery and announced he would receive a national award for his actions.

“We stand ready to extend all our support to the families of Pakistani victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch,” Mr Khan said in a tweet.

“Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognised with a national award.”

Mr Rashid was badly wounded after trying to overpower the gunman and died from his wounds shortly after being rushed to hospital.

A relative looks at a picture on a mobile phone of Pakistani nationals Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem, who were killed in the Christchurch attacks. Picture: Jameel Ahmed /AFP

Mr Rashid moved from Abbottabad, Pakistan, to New Zealand to work as a teacher when is son was 11.

Talha was due to get married and the family was planning the wedding when the horrific attack took place.

“My brother was a brave man who died to save others. His death showed how he cared for humanity,” Mr Rashid’s brother, Khurshid Alam, told The Washington Post.

“We were talking to Naeem about the family coming to Pakistan for Talha’s wedding. Now we are talking about his death and funeral arrangements.”

Mr Rashid’s wife, Ambreen, told the Khaleej Times her husband and son were heroes.

“This is the mosque they always went to. I still can’t understand or believe why and how this happened,” she said.

“But, I know that my husband is a hero. He always helped people and even in his last moments, he did what he could to help others.”

Mr Rashid and his son will be buried in Christchurch.