Anger at threat to Islamic course

A university's plan to dump its dedicated Islamic studies has come under fire from New Zealand Muslims, who believe it is needed now more than ever when their faith is so often maligned.

Canterbury University is proposing to axe its sole position of Islamic studies lecturer, one of eight positions that could go from the university's College of Arts in a bid to save money.

It has prompted the lecturer, Dr Ghazala Anwar, to launch her own campaign to save the position, which until recently was the only one of its type in New Zealand.

A university spokesman said a "change proposal document" was released to its staff last week and it was now in a period of consultation.

"It would, therefore, be inappropriate for the university to make any comment at this time."

In a letter to colleagues and friends, Dr Anwar said she had been planning to leave for better opportunities in Pakistan but now felt "duty bound" to fight to save the position.

"The loss of this position will be a loss not only to the students, but to the wider community, which has very often invited me for talks, and the media, which has drawn on my expertise," she said.

"At this time, all of us need to resist a virtual iron curtain which seems to want to descend between the Muslim world and the West as more and more venues for dialogue and understanding, like this position, are closed and the option of cross-border fire instead of dialogue and co-operation are used to solve international problems."

The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) is planning to send a letter to the university urging it to reconsider its proposal.

"We definitely see it as a bad move, particularly [with] the position of New Zealand now, being a more Western country established in the South Pacific where we have neighbours like Malaysia, Indonesia, who are large Islamic countries," said FIANZ first vice-president Dr Mustafa Farouk.

"To disestablish the position is an indication, on the part of the university, of probably lack of sensitivity to current issues."

Dr Farouk acknowledged the Islamic studies course might have limited appeal. The equivalent of 7.3 full-time students are at present enrolled in Islamic studies at Canterbury University.

"We don't expect that kind of course will attract 200 students like management courses will attract, but it should be there and should be available for the few individuals who are willing to take the course.

"These few individuals may be the ones who are going to make the difference, bringing the cultures together, understanding other cultures, and maintaining the leadership role New Zealand has earned over the years."

Ismail Waja, editor of New Zealand Muslim newspaper Al Mujaddid, said now was the time an Islamic studies course was needed most "to create greater understanding".