NZ’s Muslim population requires more Islamic schools: Principal
Wellington: One of two Islamic primary schools in the country says there is a desperate need for more schools for Muslims. Iqra Elementary School in West Auckland officially opened its new building in New Lynn on Tuesday. It has come a long way since it first started in 2016, when it had only 15 students, crammed in a rented room.
Fast forward three years, the number of children has ballooned to 130 and their new building was officially opened by the Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy. The ceremony featured a haka, Maori waiata and also an Arabic song - Assalamu Alayka.
For nine-year-old Sumaiya Ali, she could not have been more thrilled to be at the school.
“I feel really excited because I [hadn’t gone] to a Muslim school before. When I went to a non-Muslim school and I wanted to learn about my faith, they didn’t know what I was talking about, but in this school they can help me out if I need help.”
In a speech at the ceremony, Bilal Ragued from the Algoritmi Education Trust Board recalled his own experience of growing up in a public school.
“I was faced with a serious identity struggle, [I had questions like] what does it mean to be a young Muslim in New Zealand? How do I live my life in accordance with my religious teachings within an environment that doesn’t necessarily understand or appreciate those teachings?” he said.
“This is a struggle that we all went through.”
The last census in 2013 recorded about 46,000 Muslims in New Zealand. For the Islamic community in Auckland the need was great for schools that follow the religion.
Ms Zahid said it was very hard to turn away families.