Christchurch Mosque Attack Survivor: “I Was Shot 9 Times… I Shouldn’t Be Here!”

This podcast needs to come with a very strong warning. It is a very graphic account of the darkest day in New Zealand’s history. Please listen with caution. On March 15, 2019, Temel Atacocugu was praying at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch when a white supremacist terrorist stormed in. At the end of the despicable cowardly attack which shocked and disgusted New Zealand and the world, 51 worshippers were dead and a further 40 were injured by gunfire. Temel Atacocugu miraculously survived the attack and walked out of the mosque and into the ambulance after being shot a total of nine times. This is part of his story: His early years in Turkey and his move to New Zealand after meeting and falling in love with a Kiwi. What his life looked like before the shooting. His recollections of that unimaginable day in 2019. Then the long, slow and painful road to healing. Including countless operations, attending court proceedings and addressing the terrorist, living with PTSD, survivor's guilt, struggles with ACC and more. This was the first time Temel and I met. And, to me, he looked fit, happy and healthy. For me this was a good reminder that from outward appearances you never know what someone is going through or what they have experienced. If Temel had one key takeaway, it would be for each of us to do our bit to make NZ peaceful, safe and kind for future generations. 00:00 Who is Temel Atacocugu? 08:43 Navigating Muslim Identity and Tragedy 26:36 Immigration, Resettlement, and Adversity 39:01 The horror of March 15th 2019 01:16:14 Recovery and Reunion After Tragedy 01:31:29 Reflection Amid Trauma 01:43:43 Temel Challenges With Compensation and Recovery 01:52:17 Overcoming Trauma Through Community Support