The Wire with Lillian: March 20, 2019

First, a note.

"As you will be very aware, a terror attack was carried out on Friday last week in Christchurch by a self proclaimed white supremacist. Mass shootings occurred at two mosques within five kilometres of each other. First, 42 people were killed at Masjid Al Noor. 7 more were killed at the Linwood Islamic centre. The death toll was raised to 50 as one person who was injured died later in Christchurch Hospital. 50 people were injured and 36 of those remain in hospital, some in critical conditions. The Prime Minister called this one of our darkest days. The Muslim community is in mourning, many too are angry that their voices weren’t heard when they said, many times, that threats against them existed, that they were indeed increasing. The government has declared NZ’s gun laws will change. Investigations are underway, an inquiry has been called for. The accused is in custody with one charge of murder, more will follow. NZ is grappling with just how to deal with what has happened. Funerals, delayed due to protocols around murder investigations, are finally underway today.

Preparing for work on Monday morning this week meant I had to indicate to the news team just how we would be covering the attacks this week and in ongoing weeks. What we set out to do is create a space where Muslim voices are heard at this time to express any thoughts or feelings being had. And a reflection is had on why those Muslim voices weren’t platformed as they should be. If you are from this community, or know someone who is and wants to speak to us, please get in touch and let us know.

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A couple of things before we finish, firstly if you need to speak to someone remember there is the text or call line available anytime on 1737. Also, we had Jonno ring in asking whether we should start a petition to get NZ troops out of the Middle East. Something else to think about. Also mosques around Auckland are opening their doors this Friday night for people of all faiths together in remembrance for the lives lost in the shootings. Auckland Council is working with the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ and New Zealand Muslim Association to promote these events. So the Ponsonby Masjid, Ranui Mosque, North Shore Islamic Centre and Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq in Pakuranga will be opened on Friday. There is also a vigil being held by the Migrants Against Racism and Xenophobia group in the Auckland Domain from 6pm. And Love Aotearoa Hate Racism are holding an anti-racist protest on Sunday at 2pm in Aotea Square.

Please remember we are in a time of mourning, that time is now. Soon, the time will be to take action. Please think about your actions this week and how they impact on others. How our actions as a country collectively contributed to this attack. Or, perhaps how our lack of action was the real issue. Think about the people around you. Think about the people who aren’t immediately around you. The different communities, the different peoples that make up the world around you, who you may have no interaction with. Think about reaching out. Try saying, kia ora, or malo, or nihao, or namaste. Or salaam at this time." - Lillian Hanly

On the show today, 

On Dear Science today with AUT’s Allan Blackman we have a new neighbour in space, missing a meteor explosion over earth, and apparently we may have a subconscious magnetic sense.

Haya Khan, president of the South Asian Law Students Association, tells us about a temporary prayer space set up at law school, and also walks us through the Islamic relationship to the mosque and the importance of Friday prayer.

Anis Rifhan is a Muslim student here at uni and spoke to us about what people can do to support the community right now.

Iqra Khan spoke to us about hate speech and what needs to happen to end it.