Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Muslim Youths help clean up the streets

Following the New Year’s Eve celebrations, thousands of Muslim youth around the world will be ushering in the new year armed with bin bags and litter-pickers to help keep the streets clean.

As part of an International initiative, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) begin the new year with the pre-dawn prayer to supplicate for peace, harmony and coexistence in the world, and then proceed to clean their respective neighbourhoods and cities.

The National President of the New Zealand (NZ) chapter of the AMYA, Azeem Zafarullah said, “We have partnered up with local councils and their contractors, and target parks and streets that get heavily littered after New Year’s celebrations helping to tidy them up before the day begins.”

“Following a visit from the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad to NZ in 2013, the AMYA was instructed to also begin the New Year’s clean up here in New Zealand along with other ways of serving our country”, says Mr Zafarullah.

“Our motivation and drive for such charitable acts are the teachings of Islam. Islam not only teaches us to love and serve our country, but also to help keep the environment and surroundings clean.”

He further said, “The Prophet Muhammad has stated that ‘removing harmful things from the road is a charity’. Therefore, in keeping with the spirit of the Islamic teachings and to encourage Muslim youth to serve our respective countries, we set a precedent for the rest of the year.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

This year, approximately 40 volunteers, from as young as 8 years old to retirees over 60, helped clean Albert Park, Queen St, Myers Park, and Victoria Park in Auckland, as well as Lake Domain and surrounding streets in Hamilton. Similar activities will be undertaken by the Ahmadiyya Muslim youths the world over.

“As part of our pledge we say, ‘I solemnly pledge that I shall always be ready to sacrifice my life, wealth, time and honour for the sake of my faith, country and nation” says Mr Zafarullah. “There is no contradiction in being a practicing and sincere Muslim and serving our respective countries. As with past years, we will inshaAllah [God willing] be participating in blood donation sessions, charity collections, homeless feeding sessions, peace symposiums, interfaith events, participation in ANZAC parades and many other activities.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association is an auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community; a fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans over 212 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Its motto of ‘Love for all, hatred for none’ is evidenced through the peaceful actions of its millions of followers. The New Zealand branch of this community was established in 1987. It is a registered charitable organisation and endeavors to be an active and integrated community within New Zealand society.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.