The Guest House

A year on, how do Muslim New Zealanders make sense of the Christchurch mosque attacks? Journalist and poet Mohamed Hassan looks at the fractures left after March 15.

Produced and presented by Mohamed Hassan

A white Muslim mosque with a golden roof surrounded by the abstract shapes of the trees on a dark green background. The text above it says "The guest house".

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All episodes:

Stage 1: Denial

Episode 1
Mohamed Hassan works through the five stages of grief felt by Muslim New Zealanders after the March 15 attacks. Stage one is denial; he talks to Hassan Raslan, who spent three days helping with the burials.
Mourners carry with a coffin containing a victim of the mosque attacks for burial after a funeral prayer at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch.

Stage 2: Anger

Episode 2
After denial comes anger. Guled Mire became a spokesperson for his community after the mosque attacks, but when he showed anger at the death of innocents, he found the tide shifting.
An armed policeman stands guard in front of the Masjid Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on March 16, 2019. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)

Stage 3: Bargaining

Episode 3
After anger comes bargaining. 'If only we had taken better care of our Muslim neighbours'. But we hadn't and many Māori stepped up, drawing on their own experience of exclusion.
School students perform a haka during a vigil in Christchurch on March 18, 2019, three days after a shooting incident at two mosques in the city that claimed the lives of 50 Muslim worshippers. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)

Stage 4: Depression

Episode 4
After bargaining, the depression. It was felt by Muslims even half a world away, who experienced the 'vicarious trauma' and thought maybe they were right to worry about their safety after all.
Children attend a vigil outside Finsbury Park Mosque in north London on June 20, 2017, following a van attack on pedestrians nearby on June 19.(Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)

Stage 5: Acceptance

Episode 5
And finally, hopefully, acceptance. Sheikh Gamal Fouda, the imam of Al Noor mosque, traveled the world offering a message of peace. But he found his own inner peace here at home.
Mourners lay flowers and left artwork outside Al Noor mosque the days after the attack

Introducing: The Guest House

Trailer
Journalist and poet Mohamed Hassan shares stories, poetry and conversations with members of the Muslim community as he tries to come to terms with March 15 mosque attacks in Christchurch one year on.
Journalist and poet Mohamed Hassan