November 2019. Edition 18

Welcome to our regular newsletter about the interagency response to support people after the 15 March attacks at two Christchurch mosques.

Love and support from U2 and its 30 different countries and almost all 50 American states contributing money and also providing Manager Guy Oseary messages of support. Hollywood celebrities who donated included Madonna, Ben Stiller, Chris U2’s manager Guy Oseary has again reached out Rock, Ashton Kutcher and Josh Brolin. to Christchurch’s Muslim Community with love and support, not only from him personally, but also on behalf of the band who are performing in New Zealand this weekend and hundreds of people who donated to the fund he set up for the victims of the 15 March Mosque attacks.

Oseary and his wife Michelle visited Christchurch and the Al Noor and Linwood mosques yesterday before flying to Auckland to rejoin the band for their upcoming shows.

Oseary initiated yesterday’s private visit to Christchurch. When welcomed at the Al Noor mosque he said it was important for him to come and show that he, U2 and so many people around the world, are standing alongside the Christchurch’s Muslim community.

“It is extremely humbling to be here with you today,’ said Oseary, his compassion evident in the emotional meetings with Muslim leaders, including Iman Gamal Fouda and others who Oseary, a music industry mogul who in addition survived the Mosque attacks. to managing U2 also manages Madonna and a host of other music legends, was the architect of Oseary, born in Israel and Jewish, told those at a massive fund raising effort in the United States the mosque his story and inspiration for raising to support the Mosque Attack victims. “I read the money for the Christchurch victims. Five months frightening details and I could barely find the before the Christchurch attacks, he was deeply strength to watch a short clip of the disturbing moved by a tragedy affecting his own Jewish footage. My heart breaks for the victims and their community. Eleven people were killed while families,” Oseary wrote when announcing the praying at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue. fund on hearing of the attacks. It was the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the United States. He donated and The campaign raised around $US155,000 for supported a GoFundMe campaign for the families the Victim Support Appeal with 692 people from

of the victims which was set up by an Iranian Introducing Youthline for Muslims immigrant based in DC.

“In light of what that person did for my community, it was important for me, an Israeli Jew, to show love and care for the Muslim community in New Zealand, We are all connected in peace and love and New Zealand is one of the Have you heard of "allies" before? most peaceful places on earth,” he said. This service provides online support for any youth The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh also between 12-16 who may be struggling or just donated nearly $1million to the victims of the need an ally to chat with. Mosque attacks. If this seems like something helpful for you or Oseary said that he wants to continue his someone you know, click here to find out more. connection with Christchurch after yesterday’s Get yourself someone who is on your side. Get visit. “You have my email address and number. I am only a phone call away. I want to stay in yourself an Ally. The Allies are young adults trained to be supportive, respectful, and help you touch,” he told local community representatives. “I genuinely mean it.” work out what you want in life.

Muslim Community Immigration Meeting

Immigration New Zealand is hosting another community meeting with the Muslim community to provide further updates and information to provide clarity around the continuing immigration and visa processes as part of the response to the events of 15 March 2019.

We’ll have a team from Immigration New Zealand there to help, as well as immigration advisors, and staff from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and potentially staff from the Office of You get your own person who is there for you. Ethnic Affairs (DIA) and Victim Support. They check in several times a week so see how you are, and tell you how great you are. Cause Date: Wednesday 20 November 2019 you are. Time: 6.30 – 8.30 pm Venue: Bishopdale Community Centre (this venue has a capacity of approx. 130)

This program is a Youthline initiative

Fund to support minority groups I have gathered a great deal feedback from a wide range of the affected inclusion through sport community and support organisations. It would be fair to say that there are a wide range of views The Christchurch Foundation has launched a but overall there is a consistent pattern of Sports Inclusivity Fund. Its purpose is to fund expressed needs and wishes, even initiatives that support inclusion of ethnic amongst differently affected groups. The desires of the donors, those who have given these gifted minorities in sport in Canterbury. funds, is also aligned with the community Following the March 15 terror attacks, and support agencies, in wanting to support Canterbury’s sporting communities, particularly those most affected and acknowledging the cricket and football, were devastated. Members, terrible losses that have been experienced. family and friends were suddenly gone, were My recommendations are ready to be considered injured or were facing overwhelming long-term by the trustees of the Christchurch Foundation emotional pain. and once their decision has been made, I will be Sport Canterbury, Sport New Zealand and the able to communicate that to the individual Christchurch City Council wanted to do groups. It is hoped that the Victim’s Fund can be distributed in December as planned. It is clear something to support. They, like The that the victims will continue to need Christchurch Foundation, saw an opportunity to support, particularly the more use sport as a vehicle to help increase the vulnerable amongst them. As part of the inclusion of ethnic minorities within overall funding recommendations, I will also be Christchurch’s communities. Football and cricket, drawing attention to the support I feel is still sports played and enjoyed globally by diverse needed and the importance of providing ethnicities, appeared a logical place to start. appropriate assistance to victims over the next 12-24 months. “We’ve all teamed together to create sporting initiatives that facilitate sustainable, long-term I am very grateful for the opportunity to talk benefits for our Muslim communities and for directly to the victims and the wider community other minority groups within our region,” said over the last few months. Many issues have Christchurch Foundation CE, Amy Carter. been raised and I have done my best to feed those back to the appropriate agencies. This has The Christchurch Foundation would also like to not been an easy process and there are still acknowledge the support of the Christchurch City many challenges now and in the future for the Council, Canterbury Cricket, ChristchurchNZ, The community. I am hopeful that this community Canterbury Cricket Trust, VBase and the English conversation has been useful and that it will help Cricket Board. in shaping the support and response approach over the next few years. Anyone wanting to contribute to the fund can do so at christchurchfoundation.org.nz. Kia kaha, as-salamu alaykum

Raf Manji - Independent Advisor to The Christchurch Foundation Christchurch Foundation – Advisory Process Update

Some words from Raf Manji:

After over 150 meetings and many discussions, the Listening Project has now concluded.

We hope you find this information useful. If you have any feedback please email us on [email protected]