Waqas and Sameera loaned their painting “51” to display at Police Museum, Porrirua. 51 is a painting by artists Mohammad Waqas and Sameera Waqas, created to mark the 2nd anniversary of the attacks at the Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Islamic Centre on 15 March 2019. It honours the 51 Martyrs.

The painting was installed at the New Zealand Police Museum for the opening of He Toa Taumata Rau. The incredible acts of bravery shown by those involved in Operation Deans, both Police and civilian, are recognised on the pou outside, with the 51 victims represented by this painting in the gallery.

51 is both a beautiful tribute and a message of hope. Aroha, Rangimārie and Kotahitanga (Love, Peace and Unity) are key elements for successful co-existence in any diverse society. These kupu have been written across the map of Aotearoa in ten different languages: English, Māori, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Fijian, Somali, Malay, Malayalam and Dari. On the black background the names of the 51 Martyrs are written in Arabic Calligraphy (Al-Sunbali script).

The artists aimed to create a symbolic language that communities within the Islamic faith and wider New Zealand whānau could access: “A map is an essential part of a journey as a tool of navigation. We as a country of diverse communities need a map to navigate towards peace, towards an identity that can grow and be flexible and include many communities.”

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