Open day fosters understanding
some more faces to Palmerston North.
The former Manawatu Muslim association president said he had sent letters to the immigration minister and the prime minister, asking to place some of the new Syrian intake in the city.
The last intake of Syrian refugees was placed in the Wellington area, which did not work, he said.
‘‘They have been placed in an area that is far away from masjids [mosques]. Palmerston North is a much smaller city, where they have access to the masjid all the time.’’
Palmerston North was better equipped to accommodate them, because of the Cook St masjid and the Massey University Islamic Centre.
Originally from Iraq, Ibrahim Al-Bahadly has lived in Palmerston North for 19 years, working as a professor at Massey University.
He said bringing the Syrian refugees to Manawatu would inevitably work out well for the economy.
‘‘You see skilled people... they want to work. They never had that opportunity before.’’
While work to bring the refugees to the city continued, Palmerston North residents were welcomed to the event to learn more about Islam.
‘‘We’re just trying to show the real face. We’re trying to break down barriers. We’re just human beings, like other human beings.
‘‘In New Zealand, generally, and in Palmerston North... you get people from different backgrounds.’’
He felt blessed to live in Palmerston North, he said.