Imam shares his thoughts,
Quran surat AlHujurat chapter 49, Allah says: “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, AllAware.”
Bengalis, Pakistanis, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Fijian, Indians, Middle Eastern, other parts of the world, locals and Ma¯ ori from Whanga¯ rei Muslim community. We are all brothers and sisters.
Recently, more Muslims have moved to Northland and they consider Whanga¯ rei their place of living permanently because of the existence of the mosque, growth of jobs, local support and cheaper housing compared with Auckland. The availability of Halal food would encourage more Muslims to move here especially Muslim students.
Alhamdulillah the Muslim community in Northland has become more aware of what
happened in Christchurch in terms of how it affects New Zealanders, Muslims as well as other non-Muslims brothers and sisters.
Muslims in Northland feel it is not okay to be bullied and receive hateful comments. They consider New Zealand their home country as they spend most of their time working and living in New Zealand with their families contributing to New Zealand economy, environment and life. Among Muslims who live in Northland, you find
doctors, engineers, students, teachers, community leaders, your neighbours.
After the Christchurch shooting Northlanders have become more aware of Muslims and their faith and culture.
It looks that Northland is more accepting of Muslims than before, but still there is more to be done such as learning more about Muslims and their culture.
More people are accepting the hijab as it is part of the Muslim religion so you find
Today is two years from the horrific terror attacks on Christchurch mosques when 51 Muslims were murdered during Friday prayers by an Australian white supremacist. Before the mosque terror attacks, Northland, and New Zealand’s, Muslim communities were relatively unknown. After that terrible event, the nation responded with an outpouring of aroha, grief and understanding of our Muslim community. That support was echoed in Northland and today Northland Muslim community Imam Suhil Musa give his thoughts, and thanks, on how that shocking day has created more tolerance and compassion.
Muslim women and students at work or learning institutes with the hijab. The number of Northlanders who are aware of Islamic calendar events
such as Ramadan and Eid is on the rise. The support from Northlanders towards Muslims is increasing and has been shown through greeting
Muslims, aslamo alukum, having a chat with them and being engaged in their events such as Friday prayer, the Red Cross visit to Northland
Islamic centre, the invitation to Muslim leaders by Whanga¯ rei Boys’ High School to talk about Islam for the Year 9 students and other events
organised by local community leaders, police and the council showing support and caring for Muslims. Last year the police
invited in multicultural has monthly Northland more celebrations as and commemorations. teach different Whanga¯ open I I think encourage been Anzac involved their different day meetings. faiths established Muslims and rei Day students to and group, to the schools locals and in form ethnic events each mosque in ethnic about which and can a other’s to groups such be has groups positive dignity deserves colour, language We are and believes, which way no is all spoken minorities matter equal. with everyone which respect or skin gender. in a and
Zealand would the end I chance am of Ramadan appreciate sure and to Muslims in celebrate Northland with giving in their New the them families. to their thank In unconditional conclusion, Northlanders I would for like continuous understanding everyone else support, who of us, has and been police, supporting Whanga¯ us especially rei District the Council the work and they other have agencies been for doing community to bring together. all parts of the