We are broken-hearted but we are not broken.
-Imam Gamal Fouda, Al Noor mosque
Information Updates
Victim Information & SupportA report about the experiences of victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack, written by lawyers Aarif Rashid and Shaymaa Arif, has now been sent to the Minister of Justice. You can read the full report here.
The report outlines that victim concerns remain unabated, their needs unmet, complexities misunderstood. It calls urgently for sustained victim-led, community-facilitated experts working openly on collaborative solutions to address the shortcomings of these processes and their retraumatising effects. Instinctive universal human sympathy for the victims is not enough to deal directly with the gravity of victims’ issues; actual victim-informed, trauma-informed, and culturally-informed training is required. Nor is goodwill without expertise and resources.
Trial Update Information - Updated Wednesday, 4 December 2019
Next Court Appearance
The Australian is next due in court for a callover on 12 December 2019.
Trial Date The trial of the man accused of killing 51 people at two New Zealand mosques could be delayed by several weeks to avoid clashing with Ramadan. The trial had been scheduled to begin on May 3 in the city of Christchurch. But prosecutors said they were working with court officials to fulfil the wishes of survivors and victims’ families by delaying the trial until after Ramadan ends in late May.
Trial Venue The accused has withdrawn an application to move the trial. The case will be heard in the Christchurch High Court.
Royal Commission of Inquiry Updates
The full updates can be read on the Commission of Inquiry Website
Report of the Royal Commission The Royal Commission was due to report in December 2019. However, the Royal Commission, the Muslim Reference Group set up to assist it and the Federation of Islamic Associations have all asked the government for an extension. The Government has extended the time available for this inquiry, with the report now due on 30 April 2020.
Submissions to the Royal Commission Submissions to the Royal Commission have now closed. Close to 1,100 submissions have come from people and organisations across New Zealand and from overseas. While formal submissions have closed, the Royal Commission invites anyone with relevant information to get in touch with them.
Muslim Reference Group Four Muslim Community Reference Group meetings, with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch Mosques, have been held in Christchurch. Meetings are continuing and a roadshow aimed at informing and engaging the Muslim community is being planned for January.
The Muslim Reference Group has its own webpage here
Muslim Community Reference Group members are listed here
If you have any questions about the process, you should contact the Royal Commission by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0800 222 987.
Resources for Victims
This list was compiled by Just Community
- Engaging Muslim Youth in Psychiatric Care
- “This is not who we are.”
- Coping after traumatic event.
- Coping with Community Trauma
- Working with Muslim Mental Health Clients (NZ)
- Muslim Mental Health Awareness (NZ)
- Mental Health Awareness among Imams Serving in NZ’s Muslim Population
- Integrating Islamic Traditions In Modern Psychology
- How to Talk to Children about Violence and Terrorism
- How to Cope up with Traumatic Media
- How to Help with Traumatic Stress
- Explaining Terrorism to Children