Deadline pushed out for affected families

The Royal Commission into the March 15 terror attack has extended the submission process to September 27 and is calling on affected families to meet with commissioners.

The commission was established to look at the events leading up to the attack on two mosques in Christchurch and what could have been done to stop it. Agencies taking part in the inquiry include the New Zealand SIS, GCSB, NZ Police, Customs, Immigration and other Government agencies and departments.

Families of those affected by the terror attack were invited to speak to commissioners in May, a spokeswoman for the commission said.

‘‘The Royal Commission has invited affected families to meet privately with the commissioners and share whatever they wish, on their own terms, in a way that suits them.

‘‘We have been conscious of cultural and religious events and practices like the iddah grieving period, Ramadan and hajj, but have always been committed to talk with affected families.

‘‘The invitation has been extended directly and indirectly, including through a flyer shared on social media.

‘‘The voices of Muslim and other communities will be woven throughout the final report and the Royal Commission is keen to hear from all New Zealanders on what is a critically important issue for the nation.’’

The commission has been criticised for not consulting the Muslim community properly. The Muslim Association of Canterbury (MAC) raised concerns earlier this year about not being contacted by the commission. MAC is responsible for one of the two mosques attacked on March 15.

Ambreen Naeem, whose husband Naeem Rashid and eldest son Talha Naeem were both killed at the Al Noor mosque, spoke to commissioners in July. She said her points were taken seriously and recommended other affected families speak to commissioners.

‘‘It was good. The commissioners came to my house and listened to all my grievances,’’ she said.

‘‘They listened to everything.’’

‘‘It was good. The commissioners came to my house and listened to all my grievances.’’ Widow Ambreen Naeem