Introducing: Widows of Shuhada

On March 15 2019, dozens of women hovered in the female section of Christchurch's Al-Noor Mosque, as their time of worship became a time of terror, shocking the nation to its core.

By Lana Hart

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.

Telling her story is tough for Hamimah. "It's hard for me to say the word 'killed' but he was shot and killed and - we hope that that then gives him the title of the martyr, the shuhada."

The music in the podcast is mostly from the Egyptian oud player Hazem Shaheen and there are some original pieces from local Christchurch musician Liam Oliver.

To Farah, Neha, Mahubo and Hamimah: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we hope that by sharing your stories, that your lives were made better too. barakallahu feekum

And to the 51 who were lost that day - Inna lilla wa Ina ilaihi rojiun

"we came from Allah, and to Allah we return."

Widows of Shuhada is Produced by Community Access Radio Plains FM for RNZ and follows four Muslim women widowed by the Christchurch mosque attacks who share their journeys through grief and take steps towards a different life.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details