Islamophobic

Practical steps to protect ourselves from the scourge of hate

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After the vigils, the flowers, the messages, and the grief, what happens next? Donna Miles-Mojab, an Iranian New Zealander based in Christchurch, has a list of simple yet practical steps all New Zealanders can take. Let’s all stand “shoulder to shoulder” and circle the mosque, a friend writes. He suggests we should build a human wall, “a … Read more

We warned you. We begged. We pleaded. And now we demand accountability

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For more than five years, Muslim representatives knocked on every door we could, we spoke at every possible forum. We pointed to the rise of vitriol and the rise of the alt-right in New Zealand, writes Anjum Rahman of the Islamic Women’s Council of NZ How does a heart break? Does it shatter into a million … Read more

What it means to be a Muslim New Zealander in 2019

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Faisal Halabi – an Arab, a Muslim, and a New Zealander – reckons with what all those identities mean for him.  I’m sitting in my London flat, thinking about the distance between myself and New Zealand. It’s just over 18,000km. I’m also thinking about the distances between the different identities I’ve balanced growing up in New Zealand: … Read more

Aotea Square vigil: ‘Our fears have manifested into reality’

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Thousands across the country have been gathering this weekend for the victims and families of the Christchurch terror attacks. At Auckland’s Aotea Square vigil on Saturday, words of love and triumph were preached, as were reminders of New Zealand’s xenophobic past. “Look at this place, it’s completely empty,” my taxi driver remarks as we drive … Read more

Activist groups pledge ‘massive rally’ in defiance of Islamophobic terrorism

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A Friday night meeting in response to the Christchurch shootings discussed demonstrations and plans to stand guard outside New Zealand mosques for Friday prayers. Alex Braae reports. Within hours of the devastating acts of terrorism in Christchurch, plans were already being made in Auckland for a staunch response. At least 49 people were killed in … Read more

What did the Free Speech protestors actually have to say?

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Many of the attendees at a protest against Auckland Council banning Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux feel they get a raw deal from media. So, here’s exactly what they said. The events that led to the protest are already well covered. Auckland mayor Phil Goff stepped in to prevent two Canadian speakers from using Council … Read more