The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) will set up regional councils to cope with the changing needs of the Muslim community in the country.
A news item appearing in the latest edition of Muslim News of the Federation said that the main objective was to facilitate greater contact with Muslims living in various parts of the country at grass-root level.
FIANZ was established in 1978 by three associations serving the community, mainly in Auckland and Wellington.
“We now have several organisations in various regions operating and maintaining Islamic Centres and Mosques to serve the community. While Auckland represents the largest region, other areas are growing fast,” the news item said.
It is understood that the FIANZ management is also considering restructuring the organisation to meet the new challenges and make it more dynamic and responsive to the needs of the people.
Our Reporter adds:
Muslims are not new to New Zealand.
They have been here almost as long as their European counterparts have, and hence it would be unfair to single them as ‘new migrants.’ The first Muslim settlers, almost all of them of Chinese origin, arrived here in 1874, while their Indian counterparts arrived about 30 years later.
Muslims have made New Zealand their home for more than 135 years.
They have integrated well into the mainstream society, become successful entrepreneurs, professionals and government executives.
But recent years have witnessed a change in the general attitude of people.
New Zealand Muslims are seen by some as exclusive, sticking to their own groups and refusing to participate in events that are non-Islamic.
“The younger generation is fine, modern and broadminded in their approach.”
That, in fact, forms a major challenge to the Muslim leadership.
