Thread by @Ash_Stewart_

Headed home to #Christchurch to run the marathon in honour of 51 people who can never run again.

I’ve designed my kit to reflect the love sent from Dubai (spot the neighbourhood mosque!) & some incredible Arabic calligraphy from the mother of a victim of the terror attacks

The calligraphy pieces are by renowned artist Janna Adnan Ezat. Janna's son Hussein Al-Umari was a victim of the massacre at Deans Ave; he died saving others. The family moved to #Christchurch from the UAE, where Janna was a famed artist - even designing a watch for Sheikh Zayed

In Arabic, this piece says: "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un", which means: "We belong to Allah and to Allah we shall return."
This is said upon hearing the news of the death of someone.
I’ve simply got the words “love” and “peace” in Arabic in the middle

#Christchurch

People have used this calligraphy of Janna's a lot, putting a picture of their loved ones in the middle.

The Al-Umari family used this too, with a picture of Hussein, to break the news of his death.

I’ll be running in good company on Sunday for the #ChristchurchMarathon - on the back of my kit, I’ve got the names of the 51 people who died in the terror attacks.

Above that list are the words "peace and love" in Arabic.

And finally, on the front we have the Bismillah.

This is another piece from Janna.

It’s an illustration of the phrase "Bismillah Rahman Rahim", a significant phrase in Arabic, which literally translates to " In the name of Allah, the gracious, the merciful"

This is the first sentence in the Quran, and is also recited by Muslims in many situations - usually before a person embarks on something significant, to receive a blessing from God.

#Bismillahirrahmanirrahim #Christchurch #ChristchurchMarathon

So if you see me running/ struggling on Sunday (the latter is most likely) please say hi and gimme a wave! Lets do it for them, those who lost their lives on March 15.

Shukran 🙏🏻

BIG thanks to @EtihadAirways, @adidasrunning and @inkmash for helping me with this.

These guys are the MVPs

Humbled and privileged to spend last night having iftar with the Al Umari family, whose son and brother Hussein died protecting others in the Masjid Al Noor on March 15.

Also an opportunity for Janna to see her AMAZING repurposed designs in the flesh

#Ramadan #Christchurch