Unity Week
Unity Week is an initiative established by the Sakinah Community Trust, a not-for-profit led by seven incredible women who lost loved ones in the tragic March 15 Christchurch mosque attacks. The event runs from 15 to 21 March.
Hamimah Ahmat, one of the founding members, says in a Newsline article it’s amazing what can be achieved with communities of different backgrounds if we all follow the principles of respecting each other and accepting our similarities, as well as our differences. “We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or community, should feel welcome, respected, and loved for who they are and where they come from. Our message this year is that unity begins with U; we all have a part to play, so please join in because it’s sure to be an enriching experience,” says Ms Ahmat.
More about Unity Week
- Background to Unity Week
- Unity Week events
- Unity Week launched to honour Christchurch mosque attack victims Newsline, 24 February 2023
- Visit the Unity Week website
- Browse Unity Week resources
- Follow @UnityWeekNZ on Twitter
- Like the Sakinah Community Trust on Facebook
Unity Picnic and Peace Train
Sunday 17 March 2024
10am to 1.30pm
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Pack a picnic basket and lay out your mats on the grass, or simply bring cash and choose from a selection of finger snacks. Connect with others around you while the kids jump aboard the peace train and engage in games from various cultures. This event will also include storytelling provided by Christchurch City Libraries and crafts.
Invite your friends and family.
Find out more about the Unity Picnic and Peace Train
Read and Listen
Aya and the Butterfly by Dr Maysoon Salama
Dr. Maysoon Salama is a scholar and the co-founder and manager of two An-Nur Childcare Centres. Maysoon lost her beloved son Ata who is a Christchurch mosque terror attack victim in 2019. This book is for her granddaughter Aya, who is Ata’s daughter. She explained,
"I went through so much pain... I decided to channel my feelings into a special children's story which caters for Aya and other children who experienced the loss of their loved ones ... when I was looking after the center of caterpillars during the lockdown, I saw the life cycle of a butterfly... Aya and I were so attached to the butterfly. Instantaneously, I linked to the loss of Ata and had the story idea."
Aya and the butterfly is available as an eBook and and audiobook in Arabic and English.
Husna's story: My wife, the Christchurch massacre & my journey to forgiveness by Farid Ahmed
Husna's Story is written by Husna's husband Farid Ahmed. They were praying at El Noor Mosque in Christchurch when a gunman burst in and shot and killed 51 people and injured many others in a terrorist attack. This book tells Husna's story, describing the day of the attack - in all of its normal, mundane detail up until the tragedy, and then the horrendous tragedy of what followed. Interwoven with this is the story of Husna's life, telling of the selflessness and bravery with which she lived her life. As well as looking after her paraplegic husband, Husna was an important member of the community, helping women when they were giving birth, running classes for children and helping many others. Her last selfless act was going back into the mosque to look for her husband on that fateful day. She had already led the other women and children to safety. Tragically she was shot. Husna's husband, Farid Ahmed, quite incredibly, forgives the alleged killer. His remarkable philosophy of forgiveness, peace and love is an example of how religion and faith, through personal application, can be a tool for navigating the most horrific of tragedies.
Husna's story is available as a book, eBook, eAudiobook, and talking book CDs.
Widows of Shuhada
Widows of Shuhada is an authentic walk alongside four of the women most affected by the atrocities of March 15, 2019. Featuring Muslim broadcasting student Asha Abdi and Al-Noor mosque’s Women’s Coordinator Jumayah Jones, they present insights rarely heard before or since March 15.
Listen to Widows of Shuhada.
Nine Bullets: A Survivor's Story
On March 15, 2019, Temel Atacocugu was praying in the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch. He heard gunshots and turned to lock eyes with the gunman. He saw a puff of smoke from the rifle and then felt a bullet hit his teeth. It was the first of nine bullets to tear through his body. He believes his survival is a miracle. Over the last year, Frank Film and Stuff have followed Atacocugu’s long recovery from the physical and mental trauma of the attack. It is not only the story of how he walked out of the mosque alive on March 15, but what happened next. It is a story of defiance, pilgrimage and healing.
Watch Nine Bullets
