.:: In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful ::.

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"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."

Holy Qur'an 49:13 (Al-Hujraat - The Inner Apartments)

Welcome to the website of Islam Awareness Week. The purpose of Islam Awareness Week is to increase awareness about Islam and Muslim New Zealanders. Here you will find information about events happening near you during the Week. This is also your first source of accurate, high-quality information about New Zealand's Muslim community. The theme of Islam Awareness Week 2008 is "Strong Families ?– Better Society".

A strong family will raise its members to be strong people in their faith, work ethics, and relationship with the wider society. A strong family is a fountain of strength for an individual. Strong families will reduce a number of the ills facing our youth today including despondency, low self esteem, truancy and disregard for human values and the lack of respect for life in general.

FIANZ Press Release

Javed Khan, President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand Inc. (FIANZ), the national Muslim organisation, announced today that Islam Awareness Week will be held from 4-10 August 2008.

Islam Awareness Week will be launched by HE The Hon Anand Satyanand, Governor General of New Zealand on Monday, 4 August 2008 at 10.30 am at the Wellington Islamic Centre, 7-11 Queens Drive, Lyall Bay, Wellington.

Islam Awareness Week provides an opportunity for the wider New Zealand community to learn about the beliefs, values and practices of Muslim New Zealanders and how these contribute to New Zealand society.

The theme of this year's Islam Awareness Week is "Strong Families ?– Better Society". Mr Khan said that "a strong family will raise its members to be strong people in their faith, work ethics, and relationship with the wider society. This theme was explored at a recent Muslim Stakeholders Forum and the Federation looks forward to rolling out activities and programmes to support this in the coming months".

Events will be held around New Zealand during the Week, including Open Days at most of the Masajid (Mosques) and Islamic Centres on Saturday, 9 August 2008, interfaith panel discussions, Islamic cultural arts and crafts displays and ethnic food fairs.

FIANZ is a partner in the Diversity Action Programme led by the Human Rights Commission and Islam Awareness Week represents a major event in its ongoing contribution to the Programme.

Muslims in NZ ? since 1874

The first Muslim migrants were Chinese gold diggers working in Dunstan, in the South Island, recorded in the government census of April 1874. In 1950 there were about 150 Muslims and the first Muslim organisation was established. Soon after, a boatload of European refugees brought about 50 Muslim men from Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. In the 1960s a number of Asian students also began arriving. In April 1979 the national body for Muslims, the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ), was formed. There was an influx of Indo-Fijians (a large minority of whom are Muslims) in the 1970s, mostly into Auckland. In the 1990s Somalis and Middle Eastern people began arriving in the main cities. There's been a steady trickle of converts to Islam since the 1970s. The 2001 census recorded 23,000 Muslims in total. While few in number, NZ Muslims are ethnically diverse, originating from over 40 countries, including 3000 Pakeha Muslims and 700 Maori.

What is ?Islam Awareness Week??

Islam Awareness Week is a week of information and activities organised by local Muslims to increase New Zealanders' awareness of their beliefs, values and practices, and to tackle misinformation about their religion in a positive way. The aim is to achieve greater understanding between us all, by promoting communication and new relationships. It's also hoped to reduce ignorance and misconceptions about the world's second largest religion: prejudices about Islam often result from misinformation through news media reporting on world events involving Muslims. Most provide little or no perspective as to what Islam's take is on the issue or the position of the other 1.3999 billion Muslims. Negative reporting has been a major cause of the ignorance of Islam we see today.

On the other hand, interactions during Islam Awareness Week provide a chance for all of us to find out directly from each other what it is that concerns us or we want to know about. Activities during the Week such as Mosque open days, talks, video screenings and information displays will allow people an insight into the Islamic way of life and the Muslims who follow it. Some may build on what they know, others might change what they thought they knew, or learn basic facts, such as that most Muslims are not Arabs, or that Islam means peace. Others may be interested in topics of their own interest whether it be Peace, Women, War, Law, God, or whatever ? if we just come to know each other a little better in our own ways, Islam Awareness Week will certainly have achieved its goal.

In this website you will find answers to your Frequently Asked Questions about Islam and Muslims, read some of our stories and see what's happening around New Zealand during Islam Awareness Week.

Thank you for visiting us, we hope you will find what you're looking for. We would love to hear from you, so if you have any questions, please send us an email here.

We look forward to meeting you at the events around the country and getting to know you better.

Salaam/Peace

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Updates Added 05 August 2008 Harmony Award Recipients >> more Added 05 August Launch Speech By FIANZ President >> more Added 05 August Muslim Student Association of Victoria University Events >> more Added 30 July 2008 FIANZ press release announcing Islam Awareness Week >> more Added 18 July 2008 Events & Activities planned to celebrate Islam Awareness Week >> more Added 18 July 2008 The Harmony Awards >> more