It seems as though Sudan’s persecution of Meriam Ibrahim will not end. After finally being released two days ago from a death sentence for converting to Christianity, she and her family have been arrested by Sudanese security agents after trying to flee for US shores. But as well as hoping that she is finally liberated, her Read more
The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (Fianz) estimates more than two-thirds will be taking part in the fast, which is expected to start on Sunday or Monday. Muslims in New Zealand will this year be fasting just 11 hours during Ramadan while their counterparts in the Northern Hemisphere will be going without food Read more
A man is in hospital with serious injuries after he was beaten up at an Auckland mosque. Haider Lone, immediate past president of the NZ Muslim Association and administrator of the Avondale Islamic Centre, says he fears for his life as he believes the attack was an assassination attempt. Yesterday, police and security were again Read more
Employing people from all corners of the globe has many benefits, according to Mt Albert Pak ‘n Save owner-operator Brian Carran. The supermarket won the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust diversity award for innovation in 2005 after Carran set up a prayer room for Muslim staff. “It’s just good business,” he says. “It’s just being a Read more
While New Zealand is becoming less religious overall, there’s greater diversity to the country’s religious make-up, according to the latest census. Most people who consider themselves religious identify as being Christian, however other religions are growing. The three that saw the biggest increase in followers between 2006 and 2013 are Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Meanwhile, the Read more
Malaysia’s highest court has reserved its decision on whether to hear the Catholic Church’s appeal to be able to use the word “Allah”. Hundreds of Muslims demonstrated outside the court shouting “Allahu Akbar” or “God is great”. They also held banners that read: “Want to use ‘Allah’, join Islam. Don’t be ill-mannered”. They dispersed after Read more
When Marvel Comics announced the debut of its latest superhero — a 16-year-old Pakistani-American Muslim from Jersey City, N.J. — it was correctly seen as a positive development. Created and written by two American Muslim women, Kamala Khan (aka Ms. Marvel) holds promise. But while Khan is a comic book character, she should not become Read more
On Wednesday Sonny Bill Williams became the first Kiwi to be named the Rugby League International Federation player of the year He says his Muslim Faith has helped him to become the man he is today. He grew up a Christian but meeting a Tunisian family who lived with their five children in a one-bedroom Read more
Meat industry representatives were busy at the World Muslim Forum in Auckland at the weekend. Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie says he was there to show people at the forum how seriously New Zealand takes the halal – and that we have good systems and processes to ensure the meat is prepared as Read more
Offensive graffiti appearing on the site of a proposed Muslim school, and negativity circulating about the Muslim education system, has dismayed the Al-Noor Charitable Trust. The former St Patrick’s Primary School site, in South Dunedin, was bought in April this year by the Christchurch-based charity which has plans to spend about $8 million building the Read more