13 August 2007

Unity in diversity aim of Islam Awareness Week

Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter is welcoming moves by the local Muslim community to demystify their religion and customs.

Promoting greater unity among the diverse peoples who call New Zealand home is the theme of Islam Awareness Week 2007 which began yesterday. The annual event is organised by the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and supported by the Office of Ethnic Affairs and the Human Rights Commission.

Chris Carter lent his support to the initiative today, visiting the Otahuhu Mosque. Over 500 high school students from around the Auckland region attended a talk on Islam by visiting American Muslim journalist Tabiyyah Taylor.

“FIANZ have organised a nation-wide programme as part of Islam Awareness Week including mosque open days, film screenings and public forums. The Office of Ethnic Affairs is coordinating school visits by secondary school students to mosques where Muslim young people will show their peers around and discuss their faith and customs with them.

“There are more than 36,000 Muslims now living in New Zealand and I welcome the community’s commitment to organising the annual Islam Awareness Week to give all Kiwis the chance to learn about Islam.

“New Zealand's Muslim community is well-settled, having first arrived as miners in the Central Otago Goldfields in the 1870s. More recently the community has grown significantly as migrants have settled here from Fiji and other countries.

“Nevertheless, world events have shown us here in New Zealand that it is important to promote greater communication and understanding between people of different faiths and backgrounds.

“I encourage New Zealanders to take up the opportunities provided by the week to learn more about more about Islam,” Chris Carter said.

Further information about Islam Awareness Week is available on its website at www.islamawareness.co.nz.

ENDS

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