Widows of Shuhada

Four Muslim women widowed by the Christchurch mosque attacks share their journeys through a year of grief, the impact on their communities, and the steps they're taking towards a different life.

Contains sensitive themes.

Produced by Lana Hart

An illustration of a muslim woman with her hands together with a heart above them. In front of her is text reading "Widows of Shuhada".

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All episodes:

Four Widows

Episode 1
We meet our four widows of shuhada - Farah, Neha, Muhubo and Hamimah - and learn about their marriages, their challenges, and how they are dealing with their grief six months after the attacks.
Dr Hamimah Tuyan lost her husband Zekeriya, the 51st victim to die from the attacks. She now lives in Singapore with her two young sons.

That Day

Episode 2
The widows take us back to March 15th. Farah heads for the hospital, while Hamimah and Neha learn about the attacks from overseas. Muhubo hears the entire massacre from the women's area of Al-Noor.
Police protection at Al-Noor mosque continued for several months after the March attacks.

Together

Episode 3
United by their faith and loss, three of the four widows come together to share their grief, hopes and feedback on New Zealand's response to the tragedy. Muhubo breaks her silence about that day.
Neha came to New Zealand from Bangladesh after her husband died in the attacks.

Fifty-one

Episode 4
Hamimah gets upfront and personal as she remembers the gruelling weeks after the attacks and before her husband dies. Neha has some news that will shape the rest of her and Noor's lives.
Hamimah Tuyan, who now lives in Singapore, headed straight to Al-Noor mosque after her 12-hour-flight. She was there in time for Friday prayers.

Khadija

Episode 5
The women explore Islamic gender issues as they navigate their new lives without their husbands. Neha and baby Noor move to a place of their own, and Muhubo gets some important news.
Atta Elayyan is survived by his two-year-old daughter, Aya, and wife Farah Talal, who says "I feel like I became homeless and he used to be my home."

The Plan

Episode 6
In Islam, Allah is the Great Planner. The widows submit to his plan, even though it can be painful and confusing. We deep dive into Muhubo's past. Neha's family arrives from Bangladesh.
Asha, Muhubo and her mother Amina in Muhubo's new Housing New Zealand home that is large enough for the six adults in her family. Since moving out of their overcrowded house, Muhubo is happier and her health is improving.

Time

Episode 7
The widows consider whether time has shifted their feelings. Neha shares in English for the first time, Hamimah reflects on her relationship with God, and Muhubo visits Sheikh Muse's grave.
47 of the 51 killed on the mosques attacks on March 15th were male, 31 were husbands. They were shot while kneeling in prayer. In Muslim tradition these men are martyrs, shuhada, innocents who died in the purest state, a state of prayer. Memorial Park Cemetery, Bromley, Christchurch.

The Closing Chapter

Episode 8
A year has passed since the massacre. The widows reflect on the gunman, making this podcast series, and starting a new chapter of their vastly-different lives.
Al Noor Mosque after Salah al-Maghrib (sunset prayer), Christchurch, New Zealand.

Seeking Closure with Sentencing

Bonus episode
With the sentencing of the gunman is due to start in Christchurch, Widows of Shuhada's writer and producer, Lana Hart, catches up with some of the widows.
Al Noor Mosque after Salah al-Maghrib (sunset prayer), Christchurch, New Zealand.

Introducing: Widows of Shuhada

Trailer
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.
Widows of Shuhada