The Crescent Moon: Islam in New Zealand
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A book documenting the lives of Asian Muslims in New Zealand has been launched by Governor-General HE Anand Satyanand, at a function at Pataka Museum, Porirua.
‘The Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives,’ US President Barack Obama has said.
President Obama has spoken of ‘finding a new way forward’ in the relationship between America and the world’s Muslim population, something which the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Director of Culture says also resonates in New Zealand and among its Asian Muslim population.
Jennifer King says New Zealand, like the rest of the world, was also deeply affected by the attacks in New York in 2001. 'The September 11 attacks created a huge chasm between the Muslim world and the rest and fuelled an atmosphere of fear and distrust. It is important to help build "mutual interest and mutual respect" in this country, too.'
Commissioned by Asia:NZ, author Adrienne Jansen and renowned documentary photographer Ans Westra travelled New Zealand to create The Crescent Moon: The Asian Face of Islam in New Zealand. They met, interviewed and photographed an ethnically, culturally and theologically diverse group who were disarmingly honest.
One of those featured in the new book, Shegufta Molla, said ‘9/11 was very painful because America had been my home since I was four years old, but I didn’t want my kids growing up thinking they were bad because they were different, so we came to New Zealand.’
Noorayesha Jones and Shaystah Dean are two students who feel distrust affects their daily lives, ‘Because I dress as a Muslim, people make assumptions,’ says Dean. ‘I’m endlessly having to explain why I’m not going to blow myself up,’ says Jones.
Other people whose pictures and stories feature in The Crescent Moon include halal butcher Yakub Khan whose sausages do a roaring trade among Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the Wellington suburb of Newtown; Mahmood and Fatima Bhikoo whose grandchildren are fifth generation New Zealanders and who own and operate the Hollywood Dairy on Auckland’s Dominion Road; Najib Lafraie who served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in the government of Afghanistan and teaches politics at the University of Otago; and Mohammad Amir, imam of Wellington’s Kilbirnie mosque.
‘Muslims of Asian descent make up the largest proportion of Muslims in the world, and they are an integral part of the fabric of New Zealand society too,’ says Jennifer King. ‘The first to arrive here were Chinese gold miners 130 years ago.’
The Crescent Moon: The Asian Face of Islam in New Zealand features images and bios of 37 individuals. Its launch is accompanied by an exhibition at Pataka Museum and Gallery in Porirua.
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Photos:
Crescent Moon book launch - (L to R) Ken Douglas, Hon Anand Satyanand, Adrienne Jensen, Ans Westra;
Anjum Rahman with her daughter, by Ans Westra.
