Last year’s terror attacks at two mosques in Christchurch shook the Garden City to its core. From it, came the need to spread awareness about the Muslim faith and bring Muslim voices to the fore. Here once again, Christchurch-based Community Access Radio Plains FM, which has been doing some great work over the past several years, rose to the occasion and produced a 20-part series, After March 15th.

Now, this work has been recognized at the recently held 2020 NZ Radio Awards, where the series won the best access radio programme category.

Plains FM station manager Nicki Reece acknowledging the award noted in a Facebook post, “The series was devised by wonderful journalist and writer Lana Hart, my caring colleague Laura Gartner, and I when we connected on Sunday, March 17, 2019, still numb and reeling after the horrific mosque attacks two days earlier. But all were determined that we had to produce something that might help our community better understand Muslim faith and ways and bring Muslim voices to the fore.”

“This award has my and Lana’s names on it but it is for everyone who supported the series or was a part of it – who gave of themselves when they were feeling so shocked from this atrocity, were working so hard themselves, and were trying to make sense of an incomprehensible violent attack. This is in memory of those were killed. It is for those still grieving and dealing with injuries. For those who cared and took positive steps to help. For those who took the time to listen and learn about Muslim views and beliefs and who continue to show compassion through their actions. It’s also a reminder that we must not allow hate speech or racism to flourish but must all continually and actively stand up for the basic human rights of all who live in Aotearoa/New Zealand every day,” she added.

– TIN Bureau