'Love and peace' appreciated

The man yelled abuse outside the Al Noor mosque on Deans Ave in Christchurch. Photo: NZME
Al Noor mosque on Deans Ave in Christchurch. Photo: NZME
On March 15, our country was shaken by an event that changed how many people view the place in which they live.

It would be easy to allow fear, mistrust and anger to rule at such a time. Instead, people of many faiths and no faith, from all ethnicities and cultures have come together to demonstrate an outpouring of love and peace.

When people ask what they can do for us, my answer is that you can continue to accept all cultures and religions within our city. Respond to racism and discrimination, not by turning away, but by turning it away.

Let peace and love be in our hearts, thoughts and actions.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the people of Otepoti-Dunedin for their generous support and aroha. It has made us Muslims living in Aotearoa feel included, and as "one of us".

The Otago Muslim Association executive's priority is to help Muslims living here feel and be safe, and we are working with other organisations to make the mosque safer.

The association is mindful the spotlight has been on our Muslim brothers and sisters. We are not alone, though, in experiencing racism before or after March 15.

For Muslims across the world, Ramadan is a month of spiritual reflection, learning self-control, increased devotion and worship, and a time to seek improvement. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, hence why it is a pivotal event in the Muslim calendar.

During this holy month, Muslims refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset, and dedicate as much time as possible in their devotion to God. This means increasing charity, prayers, reading the Koran and striving to avoid thoughts and behaviour which is considered impure in the tenets of Islam.

The origins of Ramadan lie
in the life of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and in the story of his encounter with the divine.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it was during this month that the holy verses of the Koran were first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

When the Prophet was 40 years old, he began spending time in solitude, and he would do this by retreating to a cave in a mountain called Al-Hira for a month at a time. It was during one of these solitude moments in Al-Hira that he received his first revelation.

Ramadan is a great time to learn and practise charity, kindness and generosity. Deprivation and fasting helps Muslims to remember the plight of those less fortunate, as well as those blessings that may normally be taken for granted.

Muslims across Aotearoa will begin observing their fast from the middle of next week. During this holy month, Muslims will continue to carry out their day-to-day normal business, but will be placing a great emphasis on every opportunity available to devote themselves in the worship of God.

As with previous years, we will be breaking our fast in fellowship in Al-Huda mosque, in what is known as "Iftaar" gatherings. After breaking the fast, but before eating our "larger" dinner, which is prepared by a group of volunteer brothers and sisters, we offer our fourth daily prayer, Maghrib. After dinner, we offer the fifth daily prayer, known as Isha, and conclude the evening with a special voluntary prayer called Taraweeh.

We have been doing this for the past 19 years, since the mosque was first established.

Although only Muslims generally attend the Iftaar gatherings in Al-Huda mosque, we do welcome members of the wider community to join us. And we would be happy for anyone to come and join us and allow us the opportunity to show our hospitality.

Dr Mohammed Rizwan is the chairman of the Otago Muslim Association and a research fellow at the University of Otago.

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