Muslims share treats and treasure

Naima Ali’s hijab was a blaze of bright colour under grey skies in Auckland’s Aotea Square yesterday when the New Zealand Muslim community launched Islamic Awareness Week.

Islamic artefacts, ethnic cuisine, and traditional clothing were being showcased at mosques and public spaces throughout the country.

Hassan Raslan, organiser of the Islam open day in Aotea Square, said the event was aimed at showing Islam was not specific to any particular ethnicity and would celebrate the religion’s crosscontinent diversity.

Originally from Egypt, Raslan has been in New Zealand for 21 years. Other volunteers hailed from Oman, Malaysia, Somalia, Afghanistan and Fiji. Ali came to New Zealand from Somalia when she was nine.

Fijian-born Ibrar Sheikh said he hoped the event would help tackle misconceptions about his community and show that Kiwi-Muslims were just like other New Zealanders.

Thousands of passers-by stopped for a taste of not only food, but an insight into the art, history, and science from around the Muslim world.

Sheikh said it was a unique opportunity: ‘‘The treasures on display here are from volunteers’ homes because there is no specific museum for such artefacts currently in New Zealand’’.

Preparations began months ago, and the event depended on dedicated volunteers.

Fijians make up the majority of New Zealand’s 45,000 Muslims, followed by Pakistanis, and a minority from the Middle East. Many were born in New Zealand.

The Aotea Square open day is on again today from 10am to 5pm. JASON DORDAY / FAIRFAX NZ