NEW MUSLIM PROJECT NEWS

Transcription

1 NEW MUSLIM PROJECT NEWS I s s u e O n e J a n u a r y Asalaamu alaikum, brothers and sisters peace be upon you. The New Muslim Project is an initiative of Al Hikmah Trust, a New Zealand registered charity. The project s purpose is to support and help those that are new to or interested in learning more about Islam. Introducing the New Muslim Project WELCOME to the first issue of the newsletter of the New Muslim Project (NMP). Founded by Al Hikmah Trust and launched on 15 September, 2012, NMP s main aim is to reach out to our newest Muslim brothers and sisters across Aotearoa, New Zealand. Mimicking the very successful British New Muslims Project established in 1993, our New Zealand chapter aims to provide local reverts with guidance, a helping hand and a forum for discussion as they follow their paths deeper into Islam. Forming the NMP, Sheikh Rafat Najm of Al Hikmah Trust and leader of the project identified the need to develop a haven of information and support for the Muslim reverts. Praising Allah, hugs and kisses are the way we welcome a new Muslim to Islam, explains Sheikh Rafat, but eventually he or she feels isolated and ignored without any help or support on their journey within Islam and its community. To bridge this gap, the NMP is providing a range of services including an abundance of information and reliable resources; direction on day-to-day Islamic practice; invitations to social functions within the NMP or the community; study circles on requested Islamic topics; and, most importantly, continuous onhand support and guidance for reverts or potential Muslims on their journeys. Ultimately, we hope to identify and acknowledge the specific needs of those who are new to Islam and provide them with the answers they seek to their spiritual, social and educational questions. Also, with our office in the heart of the city, we hope to provide easy access to Muslims and non-muslims alike, where all who are interested are invited to learn more about Islam. This is a community project, which aims to fulfill our obligations as a community towards those who join our faith, emphasises Sheikh Rafat. By harnessing and nurturing challenges through professional channels such as the NMP we are better equipped to help others and create an atmosphere of cooperation with one another that leads to a better future. Sincerely, New Muslim Project Team Above: Sheikh Rafat (left) and brother Tyrone Smith (right) at the NMP launch.

2 Personal profile Karl Brooks The proudest moments this young project has encountered are the occasions when an individual comes to find their way back to God through Islam. NMP welcome all reverts with open arms and asks them to share their stories with others who are on the same path, as Karl has shared his story here. ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE to convert to Islam in the NMP office is Karl Brooks, who is by profession a marketing manager and has been a long-time New Zealand resident. In mid-2012, Karl felt stressed with work and found himself with little time and energy for anything else but work. But as this feeling wore on, he knew that it was time for a positive change in his life. With this motivation, Karl embarked on a spiritual journey to find the answer to his life change in religion. On this search, he spoke to members of various religions to uncover the right one for him. The other religions spoke of the positives of their religion and the negatives of others, notes Karl. When I spoke to members of the Muslim community, they spoke of the positives of their religion and also spoke highly of other religions. The kindness towards alternative religions from the Muslim community was the key message to me to follow Islam. From the Muslim attitude he encountered, Karl hoped to further his understanding of Islam and, in turn, find a balanced and more positive life by adopting the religion. By converting to Islam, I feel more focused on life and helping others around me. I also have a greater respect and time for family, he says. When I spoke to Muslims, they spoke of the positives of their religion and also spoke highly of other religions... Brother Karl receives his New Muslim gift pack after declaring shahadah in front of Sheikh Rafat in the NMP office. More photos of the official NMP opening Our thanks to partner organisations - especially FIANZ, Al Manar Trust and Voice of Islam - for their assistance with and support of the New Muslim Project. Brother Tyrone Smith and Brother Mohamed Thompson (above) share stories; community members (below and right) gather to support the New Muslim Project launch. 2

3 Issues facing new Muslims This report was produced as a result of last September s road trip to meet new Muslims to find out the issues facing them and to show a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. Although the issues they face are by no means unique to them, some are exacerbated because of their conversion to Islam. The journey began in Wellington on 8 September then went on to Lower Hutt, Porirua, Hastings, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Hamilton and ended in Auckland on 15 September. Isolation Several geographical issues were raised on the road trip. A feeling of isolation was common for some new Muslims because other Muslims and masjids (mosques) were too far away. They want to feel that they belong to a certain group but do not because some Muslim communities in New Zealand are divided by race such as Fijians and Arabs and they are not accepted because of their race as a Maori, Pakeha or other ethnicity. Elderly Muslims face the worst isolation as they find it hard getting transportation to and from masjids or Islamic centres. Confusion New Muslims are sometimes confused about what madhab (methodology, or school of thought) they belong to because of the perceived differences. They constantly feel they are being told that things they do are incorrect and then a sense of feeling comes that they don t belong in Islam after all. There is a lack of tolerance and acceptance by some of the Muslim communities for new Muslims that makes them feel forgotten, ignored and lonely for example, no one smiling at them or a refusal to return a salaam. The deserted feeling by new Muslims is because there is no understanding of the background they came from so there is unsolicited advice which can make new Muslims leave Islam after they embrace it because their expectations were not met by the masjids or Muslim community. The lack of trained Muslim counsellors to aid with depression, a sense of belonging to help with loneliness and for spiritual guidance is another issue new Muslims face. Work problems New Muslims feel guilty working in jobs that they think are classified as haram (forbidden), such as a musician or selling alcohol in a supermarket, and are uncertain how to advise their friends and families about what is wrong or right. Unemployment is a substantial issue, especially in Hastings where they were told by the local Imam that the seasonal work they do picking and collecting grapes is haram as grapes are used to make wine. Many fathers and husbands want to positively contribute to their families and communities but are unemployed and are finding the current job market hard. continued on next page Rotorua was truly a gem of a time, mashallah. We rolled up to a house that looked abandoned from the outside but we were greeted by a beautiful smile from a 60-yearold Maori Muslim Kuia named Aunty Emily. She also had a friend who at the age of 64 recently embraced Islam. We visited her at her home, where she lives alone, and noticed as we walked in that she had a learn-how-to-pray mat hanging up next to her bed. We listened to her beautiful story of conversion. Tyrone Smith 3

4 In Palmerston North we met an 84-year-old revert who embraced Islam four years ago. He is a well-known horse breeder and has over 40 horses on his ranch. The Qur an he holds has worn out marks where you could see it s well used. He told the team he doesn t get visitors due to him not being too mobile and isolated in a far away remote area. Tyrone Smith Marriage Many female reverts are not married and some are married to men who are not practising Islam or have yet to revert, which makes the sisters feel guilty carrying on with the relationship. The new female Muslims feel they need to get married but also believe that finding a marriage partner is difficult with many social limitations, for example not being allowed to talk to men. Domestic Violence Domestic violence is an issue with some new Muslims, especially Maori Muslims due to the way they ve grown up in a violent environment because of the gang background within their families. Some Muslim children are placed within non-muslim families due to violence erupting within their Muslim families, which raises serious concerns for the safety of the child. In some cases there were simple family misunderstandings and the children were still taken by the Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS). Drug abuse, mental abuse and alcohol abuse are some of the factors behind domestic violence. Education There are hardships that new Muslims face in terms of a language barrier as the Holy Qur an is written in Arabic. They need to know trusted websites and educational resources for new Muslims as they face issues of not knowing what is correct or incorrect information about Islam on websites or other sources such as books. New Muslims cannot differentiate wrong from right information about Islam and thus rely heavily on imams (prayer leaders in mosques). However, some imams do not know that the reverts have different levels of understanding which results in lack of help and support by the Muslim Continued on next page Before leaving Wellington the road trip team went to visit Brother Nassir and his family. 4

5 associations and masjids in providing programmes and khutbahs (sermon at Friday prayers) in English to assist them in learning more about Islam. There is a general lack of Islamic courses and classes to educate reverts, especially in rural areas. Culture Cultural differences in the Muslim communities sometimes divide Muslims. New Muslims have found it difficult to make new friends Muslims in the Land of the Long White Cloud AT THE DAWN of the 19th century, many settlers were overcome by the desire to escape difficult pasts, searched for a place to call home that promised a better future, and hoped to settle in a country that could grant them prosperity and riches. Despite the long, tedious journey to reach it, New Zealand land of the long, white cloud became a desired land of refuge among these settlers. It was not until the 1870s that immigration began to boom and the non-maori population rose from just under 30,000 to over 250,000. because of judgement by the wider community. Nationalism and racism is felt in new Muslims to be common. One female Maori suggests that Maoris compared to other cultures are badly treated and that finding a supportive friend is difficult in areas like Auckland. Reverts sometimes find themselves lost and confused by the barriers between the male side and female in the mosques as they are not used to it and feel that spouses and families should not split up but Fuelled by the export of wool and the discovery of gold, New Zealand became a land of growth and energy, and attracted the eyes of many settlers across the world. Among these settlers was a group of 15 Chinese Muslims called Mahometans who lived in the gold mining settlement of Dunstan, Otago. Soon after, several Punjabi and Gujarati men from India arrived. Once they found prosperity, they sent for their families in the 1930s, and thus the Muslim community began to grow. In 1950, the New Zealand Islamic Association was the first Islamic organisation formed to represent the 200 Muslims who had settled in New Zealand. As more Muslim immigrants began to arrive, they worked together to buy a house in the heart of Ponsonby in 1959, which was converted to the first Islamic centre in New Zealand. The should go together for Islamic courses, classes and events. Social Media Social media like television influence the members of some reverts families. The depiction of Muslims as terrorists and the constant coverage of Taliban caused one young revert to be kicked out of the house. Although older reverts do not face this, it is a potential problem for younger new Muslims. following year brought the first Imam in the country, Maulana Said Musa Patel, from Gujarat, India. The Muslim population continued to grow slowly and reached 2,000 Muslim immigrants by 1979, the majority of which could be found in Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington. To remain united, the three associations brought about by these cities met to create the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ), which to this day still represents the Muslim community. Today, New Zealand is home to about 40,000 Muslims representing more than 40 nationalities. As this number keeps growing, New Zealand Muslims continue to develop their strong community, dedicated to working together on following the righteous path towards success in their religion. Ponsonby mosque as it is today. 5

6 Some useful organisations Al Hikmah Trust The Trust strives to advance the understanding and practice of Islam in New Zealand amongst youth, especially tertiary students. It runs programmes and presentations, facilitates forums and meetings to educate Muslim and non-muslim youths and students about Islamic beliefs and practices. The Trust also provides da wah material for Muslim and non-muslim youths and students.!the Trust houses two groups, Al Hikmah Trust Girls and Al Hikmah Trust Boys. or find them on Facebook. Fatimah Foundation Fatimah Foundation aims to provide family assistance to Islamic mothers and homes. The foundation offers a service based on Islamic values and principles. Its mission is to build stronger families by strengthening support systems in the family home and working towards a harmonious community living in peace and unity. info@fatimahfoundation.org.nz or visit or find them on Facebook. Marhaba Play Group and Learning Centre Marhaba aims to help the children of the Muslim community to learn the Arabic language and Islamic studies by providing a broad-based educational programme which allows the kids to choose from a range of activities presented in fun and interesting ways. hoda.elwalili@gmail.com or visit or find them on Facebook. Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust (RMDT) Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust (RMDT) operates primarily in Auckland as well as in some of the Pacific islands such as Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. The trust s purpose is to educate and engage people in Islam and in our communities, with a vision of achieving more peaceful, progressive communities by revealing the heart of Islam as it was always intended to be practised. RMDT is active in specific areas, notably interfaith dialogue, religious education, ecology and charity. Find them on Facebook. Continued on next page Young RMDT team members planting natives at Meola Creek as part of an initiative for creek restoration with Auckland Council and Wai Care.. 6

7 WTG members giving a janaza ghusl demonstration to people from the Sri Lankan community. Working Together Group (WTG) WTG is a group of volunteers who are active in specific community projects, notably the Janaza Project, which provides funeral services for Muslims and runs training sessions for community groups on janaza ghusl, and the Helping Hand Project, which distributes food collected from food banks in mosques to needy families. Janaza information: Ashraf Khan ( ), Mazin Al-Salim ( ) or David Blocksidge ( ). Helping Hand: Ismail Waja ( ) or Ayah Kautai ( ). Young Muslim Women s Association (YMWA) YMWA is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organisation committed to supporting and nurturing Islamic identity and values among Muslim women in the Auckland region. It welcomes members regardless of race, culture, religious practice or Islamic knowledge. They focus on serving the female population between the ages of 12 24, working in four main areas: social activities, educational opportunities, annual camps, and sports. ymwa.nz@gmail.com or visit or find them on Facebook. Hadeeth (action or saying of the Prophet)! The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: A good word is a charitable act.! (Recorded in al-bukhari) Qur anic verse O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Qur an: Surah al-hujurat (49:13) 7

8 The Buddy System for befriending new converts and poviding them with guidance is a core concept in the New Muslim Project. Having met up with some of their convert buddies for the first time, the brothers and sisters involved in the New Muslim Project discuss how to move the Buddy System forward at their January meeting. It is exciting to see the project taking shape. We welcome your contributions and suggestions for future issues of this newsletter Please the editor: newsletter@newmuslimproject.co.nz You can donate to the New Muslim Project using these details: Bank: Kiwi Bank Account name: New Muslim Project Account number: Level 5, Office 5A2, ACG House, 396 Queen Street, Auckland Open 10am to 2pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except public holidays) Telephone: (09) info@newmuslimproject.co.nz Web: or find us on Facebook 8 Views expressed in articles in New Muslim Project News are those of the author or organisation concerned and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher, Al Hikmah Trust. Contents copyright Al Hikmah Trust 2013.