Our Darkest Day

The terrorist attacks in two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019 was New Zealand's worst peacetime shooting ever. It changed the lives of the victims' families, the survivors and the country's Muslim community forever. This is the story of that day, and the aftermath, told in their words - so we remember the people who lost their lives, rather than the man who took them.  In this episode, we hear in detail from those who were inside Al Noor mosque on March 15, those who had loved ones inside, and the authorities who responded to the attacks.This episode is not for sensitive ears and includes graphic descriptions of violence.CREDITSReporter & writer: Ashleigh StewartScript & story consultation: Popsock MediaProducers: Bashar Najjar and Basel Anabtawi'Our Darkest Day' is a Rising Giants Network production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch has faced accusations in the past of being a racist city - and many of the mosque survivors and victims's families have experienced racism in the past. For Janna and Aya, that means being told to 'go back to their country' in a department store, and for Wasseim, being visited by police for waving a flag with the shahada on it. This episode explores how Muslims retain their identity in New Zealand, how they've dealt with discrimination both before and after the attacks, and how the Christchurch mayor is attempting to make the city a 'catalyst for change'.CREDITSReporter & writer: Ashleigh StewartScript & story consultation: Popsock MediaProducers: Bashar Najjar and Basel Anabtawi'Our Darkest Day' is a Rising Giants Network production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why exactly is New Zealand considered the safest place in the world for many immigrants?This episode zooms out from present day and explores why those fleeing war-torn countries choose to make Christchurch their home. We chart the two separate back stories of Iraqi calligraphist Janna Ezat and Iraqi engineering executive Adeeb Sami, as they take us from Mosul and Baghdad, to the UAE, and eventually to Christchurch.CREDITSReporter & writer: Ashleigh StewartScript & story consultation: Popsock MediaProducers: Bashar Najjar and Basel Anabtawi'Our Darkest Day' is a Rising Giants Network production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The terrorist is sentenced and becomes the first person in New Zealand to ever be charged with committing a terrorist act. Victims recount scenes from the courtroom, and Janna publicly forgives the terrorist for killing her son. In this episode, we speak to the victims and their families again two years on, to talk about justice, how to move forward and new beginnings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities, victims and their families attempt to navigate the aftermath of "one of New Zealand's darkest days". This episode charts the days following March 15, including how victims recovered from horrific injuries, families grieved for lost loved ones, and how authorities grappled with the consequences.This episode is not for sensitive ears and includes graphic descriptions of violence.CREDITSReporter & writer: Ashleigh StewartScript & story consultation: Popsock MediaProducers: Bashar Najjar and Basel Anabtawi'Our Darkest Day' is a Rising Giants Network production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The terrorist, a 28-year-old Australian man, wrought havoc in Christchurch in an attempt to show that nobody is safe anywhere, especially in a sleepy South Island town. He became radicalised online and preached white supremacy and hate speech. This episode zooms out again to examine the shooter's backstory. We employ the help of international terrorism expert Amarnath Amarasingam on understanding how people become radicalised in the first place and how social media and Trump have played a role in mainstreaming extremism. CREDITSReporter & writer: Ashleigh StewartScript & story consultation: Popsock MediaProducers: Bashar Najjar and Basel Anabtawi'Our Darkest Day' is a Rising Giants Network production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.