Muslim Association of Canterbury general secretary Feroze Ditta, who still carried fragments of the shooter's bullets in his leg, said this help was increasingly not on offer. Read more

Since the Christchurch terror attack, thousands have taken Qurans or other literature.

Imam Nizamul Haq Thanvi of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand said immediately after the attack, three to five people a day had converted at a Wellington mosque.

Thanvi said that all sorts are coming.

"Pakeha, Maori, former Christians, even one Hindu," he said.

From a family of Islamic scholars who live all over the world, the Imam said none of them has ever seen anything like it.

In Manawatu, they are setting up a database to better support new converts.

In Otago, they ran out of materials at a recent open day and are planning another.

In Auckland, mosques have also reported more visitors.

Canterbury resident 22-year-old Megan Lovelady felt called to Islam and converted to become Muslim after the Christchurch mosque attacks.

At Hagley Park for Friday prayers along with thousands of others still reeling from the attacks, the Imam's prayers deeply moved Megan.

"It was rhythmic and it made me feel inside," said Megan. "I wanted to join in to do the movements but I didn't know how - so I just stood there and I cried."

On reflection, Megan said it feels like she's always been a Muslim.

Since her conversion, she has been visiting the mosque every day, reading the Quran and other Islamic literature as well as spending time with other Muslims learning about the practices of her new faith.

"I actually feel more at home and more a part of a community than I ever have in my life," she said. "Allah was calling me home."

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz Janneth Gil

The Islamicity Indices, compiled by the Islamicity Foundation, a US-based nonprofit, measure world governments by how well they adhere to the Islamic principles set forth in the Qur'an.

The indices measure four key areas — economy, law and governance, human and political rights, and international relations.

The indices don't include the personal duties required of Muslims, like prayer, fasting and pilgrimages.

New Zealand scored high in several areas tracked by the index, including anti-corruption laws and provisions to alleviate poverty.

No Muslim-majority country made it into the top 40. The highest-ranking country with a Muslim majority is the United Arab Emirates at No. 45.

The lowest-ranked country is Yemen, where Islam is the state religion.

The survey was conducted by Hossein Askari, an Iranian-born professor of International Business and International Affairs, and Scheherazade Rehman, director of the EU Research Center at George Washington University.

Askari launched the index with a controversial motivation: "Soon after the death of the prophet, Islam was hijacked by clerics and rulers acting in their own interest," he says.

Critics say that no one interpretation of the Qur'an is accepted widely throughout the world so any ranking is subjective.

"There's somewhat of a progressive bias … of an index which has New Zealand at the top," says Shadi Hamid, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute.

"Liberalism, as the West understands it, is not embraced by many of the world's Muslim-majority countries," he said.

The critics, don't faze Askari. "Countries have looked at this data and it becomes very clear why they perform badly and it bothers them," he says.

He added that data compiled by the Islamic Development Bank in response to the first indexes "vindicated" the Islamicity project.

Askari, who teaches at George Washington University, told the Tehran Times that "Our mission is to stimulate peaceful reform in Muslim countries by encouraging effective institutions, in the context of Islam and its recommended rules."

Source

• ozy.com
• islamicity-index.org
• ahvalnews.com
• tehrantimes.com
• Image: aboutislam.net

Washington's Pew Research Center confirms New Zealand's religious freedom. It functions without government interference. But some Muslims face social hostility.

It quotes a 2016 US State Department report on religious freedom. The report quotes Peters saying certain countries, "treat their women like cattle." It says he said that every immigrant should be interviewed to screen their attitude before entering the country.

At the time Peters denied that he was referring to Muslim countries specifically.

The Pew group's research covers religions in 198 countries.

It finds that 83 countries officially restrict religions. The figures apply to 2016, the latest available.

The report says official restrictions vary. They include laws, policies and actions by officials against religious beliefs and practices.

In 2007, it found 58 countries officially restricting religions.

Worst countries

In the latest report, governments most hostile to religions were those of China, Iran, Indonesia, Russia and Egypt.

In social hostilities, the worst were India, Nigeria, Egypt, Bangladesh and Russia.

While in Asia, Christians felt the hostility, in New Zealand it was Muslims.

Europe and the USA mirror the social hostility found in New Zealand on a larger scale. It notes the increasing European nationalistic rhetoric as singling out Muslims.

As a result of nationalism, Pew found discrimination against Muslims in Australia. It says nationalist groups in Melbourne prevented Muslims from building a mosque.

Pew Research found harassment against Christians in 144 nations, much as Muslims faced it in 142.

Meanwhile, across the globe Christians, Jews and Muslims all faced hostility.

It seems in India, extreme Hindu groups tried to stop people eating meat because they claim it's an affront to Hindu gods. In some cases they beat or killed their victims.

This is the ninth year that Pew has produced its report.

Sources:

• Pew Research Center
• Pew Research Center
• US Department of State

Image: Pew Center

"We stand alongside all innocent victims of terrorism in peace, solidarity and humanity," said Hazim Arafeh, president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.

"The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand condemns all terrorist attacks and joins the rest of the world in deep sorrow as we mourn men, women and children murdered by terrorists and extremists."

The Auckland Council of Christians and Muslims has also unequivocally condemned the recent terrorist acts in Paris, Beirut and Sinai.

They say it is simply not possible to claim religious sanction for such heinous acts.

"The call to be peacemakers in the midst of human division is a central, though frequently forgotten, tenet of both the Christian and Muslim traditions."

The Council has invited all New Zealanders to reaffirm their commitment to thoughtful and consistent peace making as a primary expression of their humanity.

Asif Koya, president of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand, told the New Zealand Herald that he condemned what has happened and feared widespread and indiscriminate recoil on the Islamic community.

"I'm sure Muslim's in France will be affected and I wish them well for the pressure they will come under," Koya said.

"Obviously we are very saddened for all the victims and everyone affected. We condemn any act of violence."

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy urged New Zealanders to recognise "that terrorism has no religion and that Muslim Kiwis unreservedly and wholeheartedly condemn extremism and violence."

"The Human Rights Commission stands alongside Muslim New Zealanders in their continued and uncompromising call for peace," said Dame Susan.

"Hate starts small but so too does hope. Terrorism has no religion and neither does humanity: we urge Kiwis to stand together in humanity."

On Sunday about 100 people from the Muslim community gathered in downtown Auckland to protest against terrorist group Isis.

Both young and old gathered at the Aotea Square and called on world leaders to unite against the group Isis.

One woman told the group Isis had again struck its deadly hand on the people of France.

But many other people around the world - including in Afghanistan - had lost their lives to terrorist actions.

"Though 120 people have been killed in Paris and the world is shaking right now, but what about the people, the thousands who have been killed [already]? Whoever knows about it?"

The speaker said now was the time for the world's leaders to come together to fight Isis' regime.

Source

• supplied
• nzherald.co.nz
• hrc.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• 3news.co.nz
• Image: nzherald.co.nz