Dr Anwar Ghani: Don't link Muslim Kiwis to Isis terror

Muslims have lived and prayed in NZ since the mid-1800s. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Opinion

Barbaric terrorists do not lead, speak for or represent the law-abiding Islamic community in New Zealand

I found out about Islamic State what seems a short time ago when a reporter rang me to ask if I supported Isis. "What is an Isis?" I said.

I now know they are violent individuals who cause terror wherever they go and who stand for everything I abhor. And yet there may be people who assume these people thousands of miles from my home in Hamilton - people who seem to delight in death and suffering - somehow represent me and my family.

Sadly we've had reports from friends of ugly, racial abuse and attacks by Kiwis who think anyone who is a Muslim is a terrorist.

There are not many such incidents, but they have happened. I say to those responsible that our people, our women and children, are not terrorists but when you scream and swear at them as you drive by, you are terrifying them.

We are part of New Zealand. When disaster struck in Christchurch in 2011 Muslim New Zealanders acted quickly. Within days we donated $10,000 to the people of Christchurch. A few weeks of fundraising later, we donated a further $40,000. We opened our mosque in Riccarton to all and provided free meals to anyone who was hungry. At our peak we were feeding 400 people a day.

From the tsunami in Samoa to cyclones here and in the Pacific, we have sent containers of food and supplies for the needy. If we were asked why, my answer was because we are New Zealanders and this is what New Zealanders do: we support others; we back each other up.

So it is in this spirit that I reach out on behalf of the Muslim Kiwis who are everyday New Zealanders. We ask fellow Kiwis to see and treat us as human beings, and as proud New Zealanders whose kids do the haka and who dream of being All Blacks, Black Caps and Silver Ferns.

We are calling on our countrymen and women to hold back from linking images of barbarism overseas with Muslims here. Muslim people have lived in Aotearoa since the mid-1800s. Our families helped build and are continuing to help build this great country. I studied at Waikato University and now live and work not far from my alma mater. Muslim New Zealanders have created a legacy of hard-working, peaceful, law-abiding people: we do not have a history of terrorism or violence.

As Muslims we are acutely aware that our image is being tainted by those who distort the teachings we follow. We know, and are saddened by the fact, that Muslims continue to suffer across the world. But the question we must always ask of ourselves is how we respond. Our faith teaches us we should never sway from justice - even against ourselves.

I firmly believe any Muslim New Zealanders who support the spreading of terror and the inflicting of violent death and humiliation on others have no place in New Zealand and shouldn't be held up as community leaders.

They do not lead us, they do not speak for us and they do not represent us. The social media hashtag #NotInMyName# was created by Muslims around the globe to highlight the fact that those whose lives are consumed by the need to kill do not act on our behalf.

Recently I was overseas and a friend told me I possessed one of the most valuable things in the world - the fact that I was a New Zealander. I hope other Kiwis realise this and what they possess.

We are known for our excellent human rights record, we are known as a country that sorts out its historical issues. New Zealand women were the first to vote in an election. We are known as a country not afraid to take on the big powers when we know they are wrong. We are known as tolerant, humane and caring. We are known as a nation that makes peace and stands up for the little guy.

These are the things that make all of us proud to be Kiwis. As a Muslim Kiwi I count myself fortunate I am able to follow my faith in a country such as this.

• Dr Anwar Ghani is president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.

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