NZ Muslims say they haven’t experienced backlash

Friday, February 5th, 2016

Last weekend the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in South Auckland used its annual convention to distance itself from Islamic State (IS).

They chose Khilafat (Caliphate) as the theme for their convention to promote the true Islamic Caliphate as a divine guidance for peace and unification, not a Caliphate of destruction and terror.

The National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mr. Mohammed Iqbal says that his community hasn’t had any backlash as a result of the actions of IS.

But there is concern about the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric which stems from the bloodshed committed by the terrorist group.

They think their peaceful ideals could be overshadowed by the atrocities.

“It’s more important than ever to reach out to other people, and tell people what Islam is actually about, and the true peaceful teachings of Islam because without raising that awareness it’s just letting that negative image overtake,” says Imam missionary Mustenser Qamar.

Hundreds attended the convention including MPs and race relations commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.

“I think we have to understand that terrorism isn’t a religion,” she says. “We live in one of the most peaceful countries on earth, and as far as I’m concerned the Muslims living here are trying to enhance that.”

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