Christchurch - Leadership during crisis

It has been just over one month since New Zealand's darkest day - the Christchurch mosque shootings that shook our nation to its core.

For me personally, it was far too close to home as I quickly learned of the devastating fate that befell one of my own dear friends, Atta Elayyan (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12215674) and his young family. Filled with disbelief, a fury of emotions and a will to be useful in this critical time, the least I felt I could do was to fly down myself to offer support where and when it was needed.

I was not alone in this feat as hundreds both within the Christchurch community and beyond flocked to the site to lend their hands. Somehow, we just wanted to do our part in pulling a breaking community together. It was in these moments that I witnessed some iconic examples of people rising up to the challenge amidst the chaos, shock and sadness. These were the unsung heroes, the selfless spearheaders and the determined mavericks who embodied the very essence of leadership in this essential moment of need. Leadership, in this case, was not an act of well-trained experience, but rather a natural instinct.

In this special edition of The Leadership Grind, we will examine the role of leadership during crisis. Please join us to hear from three people close to the events tell their very personal stories during the moments that unfolded after the Christchurch attacks.

Ouadhah Ragued (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ouadhahragued)
Ouadhah is a civil engineer by trade, a NZ futsal player by night and another dear friend of Atta's. Upon hearing the news of the attack, Ouadhah quickly flew to Christchurch with little expectation or knowledge of how he could support. Before long, he was in charge of the burial processions for all the victims in close collaboration with the Christchurch City Council.

Naila Hassan, NZ Police Superintendent
Naila is New Zealand's most senior Muslim police officer. She had an important role to play in supporting the force amidst this national crisis and assuring the safety of Muslims nationwide. She also continues to personally support victims Waseeim and Alen Alsati who remain in hospital today - https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018691107/wasseim-alsati-a-father-s-despair-love-and-hope.

Abdallah Alayan
Abdallah is Atta's younger brother and the youngest in the Elayyan family. He's an architecture student at Auckland University and in his last year. Abdullah will share his story as it happened from the beginning and talk about the various people who made a difference and lead the way for him during this difficult time.

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The format of the event will be :-
6.00 to 6.30pm: Networking and catering
6:30 to 8.45pm: 3 x Talks and Q&A

For fellow Muslim attendees fasting during Ramadan, iftar will be provided and a prayer space onsite.

Unlike our usual format, this special edition of The Leadership Grind is a paid event with limited seating. We have seen incredible support from a number of people and bodies across the country and want to do our part to keep this moving forward. To do this, all proceeds from this event will be donated to Victim Support - who have been integral in their support of victims across all crises in NZ.