Today high school teacher, Sara, 24, and widow, Siham Alsalfiti, bravely share their experiences and reflections on the tragedy.
Said Sara, who is the proud daughter of Abdelfattah Qasem: "Last year on March the 15th, my father was violently taken away from us, through the hands of terrorism and hatred. Life as we knew it, was changed within the matter of moments."
Said Siham, an ESOL teacher and a New Zealander of Palestinian descent: "My husband sadly lost his life as a result of the savage terrorist attack in Christchurch at Al Noor mosque."- Mosque attacks: Personal accounts to be shared
- Mosque attacks: Calls for proper victim compensation
- March 15 survivor determined to move on
The emotional videos have been produced to show how the community is coping, said Masjid An-Nur (Deans Avenue mosque) spokesman Tony Green.
“It’s a very difficult question to answer. We have 45 different nationalities at the Deans Avenue mosque, they have completely different experiences of March 15 and the issues people are facing are very, very broad.”
“We have people who have lost loved ones. In fact, that sounds trite - they have lost those who were the corner of their lives, who were their reassurance.
“We have people who are walking around on crutches - some carrying bullet fragments that can’t be removed and being regularly tested for lead in their blood. Some cannot work and are facing a new reality where they are dependant on others.”
The videos to be released over the next week will include interviews with witnesses to the attack, a woman who lost her brother and an injured survivor who shows his injuries.
Mr Green said the community wants the videos shared far and wide.
“There is anger, there’s upset and enormous uncertainty with some admitting to struggling with day to day life. There is also hope and love and calls for peace.”
“I hope these stories are shared all over the world and that people take the time to stop, listen and reflect on these incredibly inspiring people as they share their stories in their own words. They share some very powerful insights," Mr Green said.
