Girl, 4, shot in New Zealand mosque massacre miraculously wakes up from coma three weeks after attack but she’s brain damaged
The girl can't speak, hear or see, and has suffered brain damage after suffering multiple gunshot wounds in the horrific attack
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl critically injured in New Zealand’s mosques massacre has finally woken from a coma – but has been left with brain damage.
Her exhausted dad, Wasseim Alsati – who was among dozens seriously injured in the terrorist attack which claimed the lives of 50 worshippers – said that Alen “doesn’t know us and cannot see us”.
Last month he begged people to pray for her survival after she was targeted in the March 15 massacres at two mosques in Christchurch, in the South Island.
Her distraught relatives held bedside vigil while she underwent treatment at the Starship Children's Hospital, a specialist paediatric centre in Auckland - where she was airlifted for emergency care.
In an update on her condition, Alsati, 33, said on Facebook: "My daughter Alen wake up five days ago and she's had lots of surgeries... seven to eight surgeries.
"She has brain damage at the moment and the doctor has told us they need four to six months to know how bad the damage is."
Urging people to continue praying for them both, the injured dad said he appreciated people's prayers, adding, "thank you for being beside us, guys. I cannot wait till we all feel better."
"He is not currently walking, but is expecting to walk again when fully recovered.
"Alen has suffered damage to the brain; she is making daily progress, but at this stage she cannot speak or see people.
"She has begun to say the odd word and recognises her mother's voice."
The family emigrated from Jordan four years ago.
The child was with her dad at the Al Noor mosque when the gunman opened fire, with bullets hitting them several times each.
Wasseim Alsati initially had surgery for a perforated bowel and to remove shrapnel from his pelvis.
Alen's had a lot of surgeries... seven to eight surgeries. She has brain damage. She doesn't know us and she cannot see us.
Massacre victim Wasseim Alsati
In March, days after the double massacres, he uploaded a heartbreaking video to Facebook from his hospital bed, post-surgery, thanking people for their support.
Clearly in pain, and struggling to speak, the brave dad said: "I am really tired, OK guys? Please pray for my… daughter.
"Hopefully she will be so much better. I’m just posting this video, to show you that I am fully OK, OK guys?
"It’s been a pleasure to know you all guys, thank you for all your support and all the help, that you have given me so far."
Groaning with pain, Alsati ended his video with: “God bless you all.”
The footage had received more than 8,000 replies from well-wishers around the world within just one night.
Alen's distraught uncle, Sabri, 29, told The Times after the shooting: "I have been crying, it is such a nightmare."
Sabri explained that Alen's family moved to New Zealand from Jordan on a work visa over four years ago, "to escape poverty and oppression. [Alsati] went to have a decent life, a secure and stable life for his family.
"Is the world a better place now that this man shot a girl who is four years old? Is it a better world to live in?";
New Zealand's governor general on Thursday formally signed into effect sweeping gun laws outlawing military style weapons, less than a month after such weapons were used to kill 50 people and wound dozens at two mosques.
Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, has been charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 counts of attempted murder.
The suspected white supremacist has been moved to New Zealand's only maximum
security prison in Auckland and appeared at the Christchurch High Court through a video link on April 5.
Tarrant was remanded to custody until June 14.