Daughter of UAE-based executive wounded in New Zealand attack praises emergency services

Adeeb Sami was shot in the back as he shielded his sons from gunfire of Christchurch attacker

Heba Adeeb's father was shot in the back after covering her brothers inside Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand as a terror attack unfolded with a gunman killing 49 people.

Heba Adeeb, the daughter of a UAE-based executive shot in the Christchurch attack, on Tuesday praised New Zealand emergency and hospital services for the care they have taken of those affected by the shootings on worshippers at two mosques in the city.

Her father Adeeb Sami, 52, was visiting Al Noor Mosque for Friday prayers when the attack took place.

He was shot in the back while covering sons Ali, 23, and Abdullah, 29, who lay in a pile as they anxiously waited for the gunman to leave.

Her father, who is a New Zealand national of Iraqi descent, works between New Zealand and the UAE, where he is a director for engineering company Aecom.

"He is doing much better. He is in post-surgery care," the Ms Adeeb, 30, said.

“He still needs to do a few more surgeries because of where the bullet hit. It's hard for him to speak, but he recognises us.”

Ms Adeeb said her father is expected to be in hospital for the next three to six months, if everything goes well.

"Honestly, the support system has been incredible," she said, describing how police have been at the hospital around the clock and ambulance services available to those affected, some of who have collapsed under the strain.

Ms Adeeb also praised New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. “The prime minister has been amazing to everyone,” she said.

“It is really incredible to see that whatever he [the terrorist] tried to do did not affect us as Kiwis.”

She was heartened by the tributes that line the many streets around Christchurch Hospital.

“We walked past flowers by Hagley Park. Just reading the messages and the love and how people are really supportive, it's just amazing.”

“It actually puts a smile on our face and it just makes us feel safe,” she said.

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Christchurch shootings: the faces of those whose identity has been confirmed so far from among the 50 victims