Two Imams will be leading a group of youth as they venture across the country as a part of their ‘True Islam New Zealand’ campaign.
From Saturday, March 13 to April 3, 2021, the team will stop at towns and cities in an effort to educate people on the true and peaceful teachings of Islam and build lasting friendships.
We have already seen that New Zealand is not immune to misunderstandings and extremism.
As we recall the horrific events from two years ago, we remember the tragedy, the loss of life, but also the coming together of the whole nation and standing against discrimination and terror. The unity displayed was unprecedented and unseen.
Racism and Islamophobia thrive
However, since then, there have still been racist and Islamophobic events occurring throughout the country including a recent threat to attack the same two Mosques in Christchurch. Where we need to stand together, we also feel a need to educate. Ignorance leads to misunderstandings, which can lead to negative perceptions and stereotyping. We want to continue to provide people an opportunity to meet a Muslim and also, if they wish, to ask any questions they may have about our faith.
“We wish to drive a counter-narrative. Show people that Muslims are no different. The purpose of holding these events and opening up is to make lasting connections, to develop friendships and allow people to ask any questions about us or our faith.
Last year a team, led by the same two Imams, visited Nelson, Blenheim and Christchurch alongside other towns on the way.
Verbal abuse
“We did experience some verbal abuse during our campaign. However, there were much more positives to be taken from the trip. For example, we met some people who had many questions and preferred to meet us alone. By the end of the sessions, they had completely changed their perceptions about us. We also had some people who were just intrigued about the campaign and we ended up building some lasting friendships.
Education and friendship
Whilst remembering the horrific Mosque attacks two years ago, the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (the community behind the campaign), Bashir Khan, said, “We belong to an international community which faces state-backed persecution and have had many martyrs at our mosques and some survivors have even ended up here as refugees. We are very fortunate that we enjoy freedom of faith and expression in New Zealand. Therefore, survivors from previous Mosque attacks will also be part of this nationwide campaign. We believe that it is important that we take action, as a community, to remove misconceptions about Islam, so that we can help make New Zealand immune to such attacks in the future. Education and friendship are important pillars in ensuring this.”
Throughout the tour, the group will be heading to the streets wearing shirts saying, ‘I’m a Muslim, ask me anything’ and ‘Meet a Muslim’ and hoping to engage in positive discussions.
The group will arrange public ‘Coffee, Cake and True Islam’ sessions at which members of the public will be invited to engage in candid and open discussions and build friendships.
Books and Literature on Islam
The group also intends to donate books to different public libraries and are offering free literature to those interested in learning more.
As well as highlighting activities of the team, the senior Imam behind campaign, Imam Shafiq Ur Rehman said that the visiting team will also present the Kuranu Tapu [the Holy Quran translated into Te Reo Maori] to Maraes as a taonga for the tangata whenua. We will also host a public exhibition and detailed seminars on Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Cambridge.”
The team will be visiting Queenstown, Invercargill, Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch, Blenheim, Nelson, Whangarei, Auckland, Taupo, Napier, Hastings, Gisborne, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Wellington.
Imam Sabahuzafar said, “We invite everyone, whether you have questions or not, to just come and meet us. Get to know a Muslim and let us continue to lead the world in showing how unity and friendship are part of the solution.”
About ‘True Islam New Zealand’
More details about their tour can be found on their Facebook page ‘True Islam New Zealand.’
True Islam New Zealand is a nationwide umbrella campaign being spearheaded by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community New Zealand. It aims to promote and highlight 11 truths about Islam, which are based on common misunderstandings.
These include highlighting the truth behind the concept of ‘Jihad’ and women’s rights among others. The website www.trueislam.nz contains further details on each of the truths.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 213 countries with tens of millions of members. The New Zealand branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1987.
Mustenser Qamar is the Imam at Baitul Muqeet Mosque, owned and managed by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat New Zealand.
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