Moments before Daoud Nabi was killed in his place of worship, he bravely welcomed the Australian-born terrorist to the mosque.

The 71-year-old had seen the terrorist’s gun, but chose not to run. Instead, he welcomed the man with open arms and the words “Hello Brother” as the killer approached the doors of the mosque.

It was his final act of bravery, before being gunned down by the terrorist.

Nabi was just one of the many men and women who bravely fought back with kindness and strength on Friday afternoon, when a 28-year-old opened fire at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, where hundreds of people were gathered inside for their afternoon prayer.

It was an act of terror that has left 50 innocent people dead.

Nabi’s brave words were heard during the gunman’s livestream.

“The first Muslim man to die, his final words were ”hello brother”. These words were uttered by a man who symbolised Islam. He had a rifle pointed at him by a man with clear intentions to kill and how did he respond? With anger? With aggression? No, with the most gentle and sincere greeting of ”hello brother”,” wrote Aziz Helou.

“A sincere courageous and warm way to stop violence instead of fuelling it,” Helou added.

Several other users on social media also highlighted and celebrated the brave words.

“Hello, brother” were the first words a Muslim worshipper said to the attacker as he entered the mosque.

They were also his last words before he was shot to death.

My heart is shattered. #HelloBrother

— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) March 16, 2019

“Hello Brother” were the last words by the Muslim man at the mosque’s door.

The reply was: Five bullets in the chest.Really painful! ???? #HelloBrother #NewZealandTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/oGSajrcXn9

— Ahʍɑժ Hɑɾís (@ahmadharis1435) March 16, 2019

“Hello Brother” Said by the first victim before he was shot. #ChristChurch

— Hamza Namira (@HamzaNamira) March 15, 2019

God wants you to be in a better place where terrorists can’t reach. #HelloBrother pic.twitter.com/4jfPkwKEQX

— gato (@merrysoul97) March 16, 2019

Nabi was among many brave victims and survivors who stood up with kindness in the face of evil.

Another hero was Naeem Rashid, who wrestled the 28-year-old shooter to the ground during the attack, allowing many worshippers to run.

Rashid’s heroic act was also seen in the gunman’s livestream.

It is these heroes, rather than the coward who killed them, who should be remembered.

For more on this topic:

“If humanity had a face”: The woman showing the world what Christchurch is made of.

“These won’t be my best words…” Waleed Aly’s moving monologue on Christchurch.

Brenton Tarrant: Before the Christchurch shooting began, a manifesto was published.

Why news outlets should think twice about publishing the New Zealand shooter’s livestream.

“New Zealand’s darkest day”: Everything we know about the Christchurch shooting.

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