30?September?2013

23?Dhul?Qadah?1434

Strong Families?-?Better Societies: New Zealand 2008 Islamic Awareness Week Launch Report

Dr Mustafa Farouk, FIANZ First Vice President and Daawah Coordinator

The launching ceremony started with the recitation of verses of the Quran pertinent to the theme of family by Sheik Abdul Jabaar, Imam, Porirua Islamic Centre, followed by a translation of the recited verses by Sister Rehanna Ali, Representative, Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand.

The guests at the launching ceremony were welcomed by the President of IMAN Fawzan Hafiz. In His speech, brother Fawzan used verses of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) to explain Islamic position regarding family and individual's responsibility in the society. He said "Islam teaches us that society starts with individuals and families and to strive towards a just and peaceful society begins with striving to be just and peaceful on the individual level". Brother Fawzan informed or reminded the guests the emphasis Islam placed on education and good upbringing, starting from giving a good name to a child to moulding the child to the way of the fitrah translated as nature?-?Al Islam. He quoted this saying of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH "the best among you is one who is best for his family, and I am the best among you in this regard" to underscore his point.

The President of FIANZ Mr Javed Khan spoke of FIANZ's partnership in the Diversity Action Programme led by the Human Rights Commission and informed the guests that Islam Awareness Week represents a major event in that Programme. Mr Khan said "Islam Awareness Week provides an opportunity for the members of the wider New Zealand community to learn and appreciate the beliefs, values and practices of Muslim New Zealanders and how these contributes to greater understanding and social cohesion". The theme "Strong Families?-?Better Society" was chosen according to the FIANZ President because "a strong family will raise its members to be strong people in their faith, work ethics, and relationship with the wider society".

The Governor General of NZ HE The Hon Anand Satyanand in his speech affirmed the importance of IAW and other initiatives aimed at improving religious understanding. He said the religious demography in NZ has changed with a diverse group of beliefs now found in the country. This diversity has the ability to enrich the society, but also poses some challenges. He mentioned the controversies that surrounded the Museum exhibit involving The Virgin in a Condom, the wearing of burqa in court, the desecration of Jewish headstones and the publication of the Mohammad cartoons as examples of the "challenges inherent in New Zealand's growing cultural, ethnic and religious diversity". The Governor General called on New Zealanders to try and really understand and not merely tolerate one another. According to him, "tolerance is largely passive in nature and the opportunity for real understanding rarely occurs; real understanding requires interaction-meeting, talking and socialising with others who are different from us. It also means getting to know people as individuals in their own right and not as automatons whose behaviour may be dictated by cultural or religious imperatives". He said events like IAW are important steps in breaking down the barriers between people of different cultures and religions and encouraging interaction by people at the community and neighbourhood level. He cited the speech of Governor Hobson at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to underscore the fact that a sound basis for religious understanding has been established in New Zealand; a basis that New Zealanders must continue to build upon.

Mustafa Farouk, FIANZ Vice President and Daawah Coordinator spoke on the significance of IAW. Dr. Farouk said Pre-September 11, 2001, the activities during IAW were centred mainly around promoting the understanding of Islam and in doing daawah or outreach to non-Muslims, but post-September 11, 2001, IAW activities in NZ expanded its goals to include the following:

1. Removing the misconception surrounding Islam and Muslims?-?Muslims are portrayed as terrorist, fanatics, intolerant, oppressors of women and parasites to the society by the media and reckless politicians. IAW helps educate the public about the true teachings of Islam in the hope that the knowledge will reduce these misconceptions which are mostly perpetuated by ignorance.

2. Highlighting the contributions of Muslims and Islam to NZ?-? The contribution of Muslims to the spiritual, cultural and economic development of NZ are being highlighted more than in the past in order to dispel the notion some may have of Muslims and immigrants as leeches who only take and contribute nothing in return.

3. Promoting interfaith and cultural dialogues?-? These dialogues happen in various forms between Muslims and other faith and cultural groups throughout the year but extra emphasis are placed during IAW.

4. Promoting better integration of Muslims into the wider NZ society?-?IAW activities also teaches NZ Muslims to better understand and respect the many cultures and values that make NZ what it is a multi-cultural multi-religious societ ty.

5. Supporting NZ Government and other NGO initiatives?-? New Zealand Muslims have not suffered any harassment in the hands of their government as did Muslims in other countries around the world Post 9/11. In addition a number of initiatives were taken since 9/11 by the NZ government that have positive impact on Muslim New Zealanders. For these and many other reasons, NZ Muslims under the auspices of their umbrella organization, FIANZ, decided to make IAW a yearly national event in 2004 to promote understanding and build bridges with the wider New Zealand society.