Muslim perspective of Christmas

Before I start, this is my personal Muslim view of Christmas.
It is not a report on what Islam does or does not teach about Christmas.
It is not an official statement for ALL Muslims.
It is my personal view.

There are a wide range of views of Christmas for Muslims.

Ranging from the 'It is forbidden to celebrate' to 'It's OK, no worries'.

Both have legitimacy.

Fatwa's against Christmas usually stem from the view that Christmas celebrations usually just spiral in to drinking alcohol and being silly, behaiviour that Islam condemns.

The view too, that there is nothing wrong with wearing Santa hats and taking the day off, is also pretty true in so much as neither of these things ACTUALLY should do anything to the faith of a Muslim.
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My personal view is shaped by the fact that all of my family celebrate Christmas in some way, with the gift giving, the food, the whole things. And as a gesture of love and goodwill I join in. I am not worried and joining in has no bearing on my Islaam.

I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus as espoused in the Quran. Neither the Quran nor the Bible actually say  was on December 25th, but for the sake of unity and blog-length, that doesn't matter here.
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My religion just doesn't teach about or say anything about Christmas or it's celebration, or Santa, or anything.

Christmas for Muslims, from a religious stand point is not really a thing.
Muslims don't celebrate the birthday of Jesus and many don't even observe the birthday of Muhammad (peace be upon them).

A Muslim home will probably not make a big deal out of Christmas as it just isn't a Muslim celebration.

Muslims won't really disrespect Christmas either, and in some Muslim countries, there are even displays
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So that's really all there is to say.

Muslim's don't make a big deal personally out of Christmas, but respect the rights of others to celebrate Christmas if they wish.

Mt. Roskill By Election 2016

Mt. Roskill has existed since MMP.

And has always been held by the same Electorate MP.

(Former) Labour MP Phil Goff has always held the seat.
Labour has also usually done well in the Party vote in Mt Roskill, but this has not always been so.

We know that in the 2014 Election, National won the Party vote in Mt. Roskill and their candidate coming nowhere near the Incumbent, still got over 10,000 votes.
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Another thing that is interesting about this Electorate is the party vote in the 2008 Election where BOTH Labour and National equally got 42%.
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This tells us that there definitely is reasonable support for National, even if Mt. Roskill always faithfully backed their Labour MP, Phil Goff.

But with Goff stepping down to become Auckland Mayor, it may NOT be a Labour win in the Seat.
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Nationals Parmjeet Parmar is the Mt. Roskill By Election and was National's candidate in the 2014 General Election.

Remember she got over 10,000 votes and her Party in 2014 won the Party vote.
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National's Party vote victory may've been thin, but the previous 2008 Election tells us that there is still SOLID support for National in Mt Roskill.

NOW, I'm not saying it is impossible for Labour's new candidate Micheal Wood, but if the 2014 Election result in Epsom where he stood is anything to go by,  then Wood is not even much liked even by Labour voters. (He got 3000 votes and Labour got 5000 votes).
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So from all this we see, it is NOT a plain sailing easy victory for Wood and he has a VERY Strong challenge in Parmar.

I have not always been accurate in By-Election predictions, but I will say this one can quite possibly go either way.

We shall wait and see.

WE MOURN FOR BR. MUHAMMAD ALI

Inna lillahi wa inna rajiun

God giveth and, God taketh away

In God's name, He who is Compassionate and Merciful.

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We the Muslim Ummah mourn the loss of our brother Muhammad Ali, who was first known as Cassius Clay.

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I am sad to hear of this loss.

But heartened to know that our brother, died so close to the month of Ramadan, which signifies God's love for him.

We pray for his rest and we pray to be resurrected with him and all other righteous people on the Day of Judgement.

Rest in Peace and love Brother Muhammad.

Peace be unto you and your family.

Moe mai ra e te Matua.

Train Crash A Warning – Me Taiho taatou

31/5/2016

Na enei tukinga tereina e rua i enei ra (Ki Nga-Hau-Mangere me Ukutoia hoki)

Kaore i kore… he tohu NUI tenei i roto i te Aronga maori, te Whakaaro Maori.

ARA, Hei taa te Koromatua o Tamaki Makaurau (I runga i a Irirangi Waatea i te ata nei) ka huri te one mo te City Rail Link i te Rapare 2 o Pipiri.

Heoi… kua wareware katoa te Koromatua ME te Kaunihera o Tamaki Makaurau ki te kaitiaki o waenganui te taone. Kua wareware katoa ia ki te taniwha o reira, ko tona ingoa ko Horotiu.

Kei a Horotiu tetahi Puna, ko ‘Wai Horotiu’ e rere ngatahi ana ki raro i a Queen Street.

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Ko taku whakapae, na Horotiu enei momo ahuatanga e mahi, hei whakatupato, hei whakamataku i te Kaunihera, kia taiho ake ratou i a ratou whakatuu, a ratou hanga i te City Rail Link.

Mei kore ratou te Kaunihera o Tamaki Makaurau e whakarongo, ko wai ka mohio, ka aha ano to matou taniwha a Horotiu.

He whakaaro, he whakaaroaro ma taatou katoa.

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These 2 train crashes (in Middlemore and Glen Innes) have great significance in the Maori view.

The Mayor of Auckland said on Radio Waatea this morning, that the turning of the sod of City Rail link, is on Thursday June 2^nd.

Most unfortunately, the Mayor AND Auckland Council have totally forgotten the spiritual guardian of Auckland city central. They forgot the taniwha, whose name is Horotiu.

Horotiu’s waterway runs parallel to Queen Street.

I personally believe, that these tragedies may be attributed to Horotiu as a fearful warning to the Council, to halt the building of City Rail Link.

If Auckland Council do not listen, who knows what Horotiu may do next.

We must pause to think, and reflect.

Letter to an ANZAC

My thoughts on the 100th ANZAC Day. A letter to the soldiers who landed at Gallipoli in 1915,
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Dear ANZAC

I am told you fought and died for our rights.

But that is hard to believe.

You did NOT die for New Zealand citizens, because they did not legally exist until after your time.
You did NOT die for Human Rights... because in your time, no-one really knew what those even were.
You did NOT die for the women in Parliament, there weren't many in your time.
You did not die for Gay Rights, because in your time, Homosexuality was ILLEGAL .
You did NOT die for the Maori language, because outside of New Zealand, that wasn't even considered a language in your time.
You did NOT die for Muslim New Zealanders, in fact you wanted the Muslims DEAD!!!!!
You did not die for the poor beneficiaries, in your time, if you could not work, that was IT!!!!.
You did not worry about Maori because in your time, the Government still demonized Maori.
You did not die for Children's rights, in your time, there was DEFINITELY no such thing.
You did not die for Women's Rights, they weren't important in your time either.

No. You did not die for any of this.

In your time, you did not even die for your self..... NO... You died because the Generals made a terrible mistake which made sure they could have you and your mates slaughtered and get away with it.
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My heart aches when I think of you.

My heart aches because your life was obliterated.

My heart pines for your smile.... but what makes me sad..... is on that day on that beach

I am quite sure you did not really think of me... or anyone that I know.
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ANZAC.... I honour your memory... but I don't honour your terrible death.

Maori and Vegan

Tena Koutou

Yes. This blog entry is about kai, about kai-maanga (eating plants) and about Maori.

I pay tribute to journalist Amy Josianne Whiting who allowed me to articulate all these whakaaro.

They are my own and personal. All these whakaaro relate to hauora, to kai and to being Maori. People who love Papatuanuku will also enjoy reading this.

How close are you to your Maori heritage? Are you and/or your family heavily involved in the traditions and marae?

I am Ngapuhi, Ngati Maru, Ngati Whatua and Ngai Tai. I am connected to both my parent's Marae and the many marae of my Grandparents. For my whanau, I speak on our Marae and guide my whanau and hapu through our Maori Culture. I am involved in tangihanga and other hui at my own marae. Equally, as a Maori teacher, I share my language and culture as part of my profession on a daily basis.

What motivated you to become vegan? 

I have been vegetarian for nearly a year. In early January I realised that I actually have a low tolerance for dairy milk, and so decided to give up Dairy. I also don't buy eggs anyway... so the recent transition to a vegan diet was OK for me.

The primary motivations are the bigger picture, in terms of 1. My concern for Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) and my own environmental impact, a concern for Animal welfare and of course my own human physiology and health which is far more in line with a plant-based diet.

I feel great knowing, that simply by putting my fork in my mouth, I am helping animals, helping Papatuanuku and helping my own body by a very simple and joyful act of having kai. Quite simply I feel liberated from poisoning myself, and my tinana of products like meat, eggs and dairy that I just don't need.

Did you hesitate to be vegan because of your heritage, or did others advise against it? If so, how did you deal with it? Or how do you deal with it, if that sort of tension is still there? 

I am lucky. I was not discouraged. I am allowed to eat as a wish. Actually my whanau appreciate that I eat a plant-based diet and really relish and enjoy eating plant-based food with me. I love cooking for my whanau, who I live with. When visiting other whanau too, they also love when I cook for them.

I am also lucky that my partner also eats a plant-based diet too.

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I mean.... initially when I was Vegetarian I thought "Veganism would be hard.. and I'd miss Dairy and Eggs".... and while such thoughts still linger... as well as cravings... discovering the Vegan alternatives is a massive help... Also, realising the toll that Dairy puts on me physically also discourages me from consuming it.... and of course.. with eggs... I just think of their 'production' and it stops me from consuming them.

I am happy as a Vegan as I write this today.

-Do you think there are pro-vegan elements to Maori culture? (Connectivity to nature/animals?)

Quite honestly, I really think it is a lot MORE than that.

Our culture denotes Human kind as kaitiaki or sacred guardians of the earth, forests, seas, rivers and all places where we walk and swim. As virtue of who we are, who our Gods are and our place in the Cosmos, we are sacred guardians.

That is the place of humanity, or 'te ira tangata'.

By virtue of that place, when one really looks at Maori culture... we should only eat a plant based diet.

Traditionally we mainly ate plants anyway.. Proteins like birds and fish were eaten at a time when these were plentiful and their habitats and bodies werent poisoned by pollution like they are today... Birds and Fish were eaten when there were enough to eat. There is NO denying that birds and fish are an integral part of the traditional Maori diet.

THAT Being said... modern problems like Pollution, Animal population depletion and even extinction have minimised the ease of access of Maori to the bird and fish as food that they have in the past.

And to be frank... nothing can be done to reverse that... BUT we can take guidance from our culture that tells us that Maori practices like 'Rahui' (culturally imposed prohibitions) can save these bird and fish populations.... but it makes more sense in modern times to have a permanent rahui on the collection and eating of birds and fish in our traditional diet due to modern pollution, which in many cases is sadly irreversible. And such Rahui would be in line with our role as kaitiaki... or put in a authentically indigenous sense 'How can one be the guardian of fish and birds... and Slaughter them to eat????"

THEREFORE, Only a plant based diet remains for Maori in terms of a sustainable option. In terms of improvement of health.

-What would you say to someone who said you couldn't be a vegan AND Maori? 

I'd COMPLETELY disagree and say

'Actually if one wants to preserve our culture, our resources, our whenua, our Atua, our fish, our birds, our hauora (health) and our whanau (family) as Maori.. our ONLY option is to be vegan.

If we want to survive as a people... with any chance..... if we want to chuck of the shackles of colonial oppression that have forced us on to these diets which have made us diabetic and cancerous... our only option as Maori is to be vegan.

If we really love our Moana (sea) and our whenua (land) and care about it being here after we die.... the only option for Maori is to be Vegan.

If we believe in our Rangatiratanga over our health, over the lives of of us and our babies, of our longevity and continuous living as a people... our only option as Maori is to be Vegan.

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Oh... by the way... every single one of our kai like 'Fry bread' or Hangi, our boil up, our steam pudding can all be Vegan too, very easily.

And while we might miss eating kaimoana or kai from the awa (river) or ngahere)... being VEGAN ... means that all those precious animals who our ATUA charge us with looking after and caring for properly.. might just also get a chance to survive and even thrive... so it is better to NOT KILL and eat them if we really love them... I mean we love our own human kids and so we don't kill them .. and they are from the Atua...

what really is the difference with all the other creatures that Atua put on earth.

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Yes.. a long winded answer.. but thats some of the things I would say.

-What is your favorite element of veganism?

Food is tasty and fulfilling and nourishing not just for my tinana (body) but for my wairua too.

And of course, what I eat helps Papatuanuku.

-Are there any other thoughts you have about this topic? Feel free to add anything!!

Only that, through writing down and articulating these answers I see that I really am passionate about this and that what I eat, means alot to me and the planet.

Just as a final plug, if you want to see some yummy Poly-Vegan recipes, then check out Corned Buffet and Vegan Polynesian

Note: My own personal journey with Veganism is up and down and not always easy. In fact I do go between vegetarianism and veganism. BUT... I  am clear as of the date of publication that the BEST Diet for Maori is a Vegan Diet and am totally committed to working to eventually and fully align my life to Veganism 

Maori who discriminate against the faiths of other Maori

The 2nd of April 2016  marks 100 years since the Police arrested the Maori prophet Rua Kenana in Tuhoe Land.

Rua Kenana was arrested and history also tells us that 3 people died and a girl was abused in this whole tragic ordeal.

There is no doubt that this was a tragedy for the people of Ngai Tuhoe and Whakatohea, and the arrest of a man considered a prophet and local spiritual leader, for any group, would indeed be difficult.

Some accounts  say that the aftermath was equally difficult, and the movement never really recovered. Worse yet, down to today there has NEVER been any serious inquiry let alone any sort of acceptable apology to the people and now their descendants, for what took place.
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THAT all being said... I want to personally explore the idea of, Maori preference and Maori discrimination of other Maori.

Specifically, the idea that Maori of the early 20th century could take on non-Maori concepts like 'Prophethood' * and that there is NO question of this.There is no doubting it and it is NOT critically analysed or even critiqued**. It is as if, it is totally acceptable that in the 20th century, some Maori spiritual leaders like Rua Kenana or T.W. Ratana took on the non-Maori concept of Prophethood and that this was OK.

No such notions are popular today, though similar leaders of Maori descent have emerged in the late 20th century and have prominence in the 21st century, people like "Bishop Brian Tamaki".

Again, for the wider Maori population none of this, in the main, at all raises many eyebrows. The idea, that Maori can take on and have deeply held beliefs that do NOT originate wholly from their own cultural practices and ideas is NOT a worry.

Thousands of Maori can be Mihinare (Anglican) and there is no backlash or questioning.

Further to this, I am NOT suggesting that ANY of this is wrong, unfair or bad. It is NOT. 

I find beauty in the fact that there are thousands of Maori Christians. There are hundreds of Maori Buddhists too, and I suspect that Maori are part of many if not all religious groups present in New Zealand. This is amazing and demonstrates a great beauty and diversity that I greatly admire in a very genuine way.

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That all being said, I can't help but wonder something as I write this blog entry late at night.

On several separate occasions in the last 2 years, myself and other Maori Muslims that I know have been in the media (TV, Radio and Social Media) and the comments, particularly online about many of these appearances have generally been overwhelmingly negative and critical. Worse yet, it is not just the viewers and commentors online, but even SOME media outlets that have deliberately gone out of their way to paint Maori Muslims in a negative light.
And even if a media outlet does NOT go out to paint Maori Muslims negatively, the commentor-brigade regularly makes sure to comment and insult as vehemently as possible, sometimes even making actual threats of violence to Maori Muslims.

And sadder STILL, This negative behaiviour is NOT questioned!!!!

Yes, the discrimination against Maori Muslims is NOT questioned or critiqued and no one seems to be making loud noises about the fact that it is wrong, well, no-one except Maori Muslims themselves.
That's not to say that people don't think discrimination against Maori Muslims is wrong.

Maori TV did an amazing story about Maori Muslims. And the story was well put together and showed Maori Muslims in a very positive way.
But just take a look at that same story on social media and you'll see the commentor-brigade hard at it again speaking generally in a negative, discriminatory tone.
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Again, there is no attempt to say that discrimination only targets Maori Muslims. It is not something that is easily stopped and everyone, no matter how ignorant is entitled to their own opinion and view and each view has a level of relevance and validity.

It is just interesting to note, that no one criticises the discrimination or even questions it's existence.

No one calls it bigotry if is directed at Maori Muslims. But it is called bigotry and even racism and discrimination if it is directed at Mihinare, Ringatu, Ratana or even Destiny Church.

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I just want this to be noted and pondered upon. I want YOU as a reader to think about how this post makes you feel, what it makes you think.

Are you a Maori who identifies with a faith?

Maybe you are? Or maybe you are not Maori but know about religious discrimination.

Maybe you are a Maori who agrees that it is OK to discriminate against Maori Muslims, so long as no-one discriminates against YOUR own church.

Or Maybe, you are a Maori who secretly laughs at any and all Maori who don't just hold to the ways of our tikanga tuturu and our kawa only. Amongst THIS number are people who think Maori should just pray to IO, or Tane and Tangaroa and to pray to any other God is to show that you are really lost and "don't know your identity".

EVEN More interesting, is that SUCH a line of 'NOT knowing one's identity' or being lost is very very regularly thrown at or slandered against Maori Muslims, but Maori Christians never ever seem to get the same line thrown at them. Even though there is NO DOUBT ANYWHERE, that neither Islaam nor Christianity are exclusively Maori let alone were present in their current forms, amongst Pre-Contact Maori.


These points are very interesting to note, to ponder and to think about.

This whole blog entry will probably be used on a regular basis.

This blog entry is also an invitation to begin to question discrimination.

The reason being, that 100 years ago, No-one seemed to question that a particular Maori religious group were unfairly targetted... and in effect severely discriminated in a way that had far-reaching consequences. That discrimination has effects even today.

And NO-ONE really stood up to it even then, We see NOW the results of NOT standing up against discrimination of a Maori religious group. They and their leadership and membership were vilified. No-one said anything.

Let us hope that SUCH discrimination were it present today for that or other Maori religious groups begins to be stamped out, because people actually SEE that it is wrong and actually

SPEAK OUT AGAINST MAORI (OR ANYONE) WHO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MAORI!!!!


* This definition you'll notice is taken from a dictionary, and in the main explores Post-Contact Non-Maori ideas of Prophethood. THAT, being said, both Muslim Readers and Maori within Academia recognise that a particular and uniquely Maori Form of Prophethood was extant Pre-European contact. Maori Acedemia assert that such instances were there and Muslim Readers assert Religious texts which point to Divine messengers amongst all peoples. THIS part of the Blog entry obviously focusses on the emergence of Prophets in a Post-Contact Maori world though, which is separate and distinct from those 'Prophets' in the Pre-contact world.

** It is possible that such has happened, and that academic rigour and research may well have been applied to the 20th century Maori notions of Prophethood. The ASSUMPTION of this blog is that such rigour and critique is NOT widespread and not general knowledge of the wider Maori populace.

Non-Christian Perspective of Easter

I gave a respectful Non-Christian perspective of Easter last night on Radio Waatea in a live Reo.
 I was interviewed by show host, Pierre Lyndon.

Here is the podcast of that interview

http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=NDE0OTM= 

http://secure.zeald.com/site/uma/images/podcasts/1-Te-Rata-Hikairo-_-Nga-ra-whakataa-hei-whakanui-I-te-wa-Aranga-_1_Pub.mp3 

Pierre: Warm Easter Greetings to all listeners.Many of you are travelling to and from your destinations on the roads. There are also many celebrations on our Marae. TeRata Hikairo joins us on the phone tonight, insomuch as there are many Non-Christians in New Zealand, and it can no longer be said that New Zealand is just a Christian Country. Greetings TeRata.

TeRata: Greetings Pierre, Warm Easter Greetings to all listeners tonight. 

Pierre: TeRata, when I grew up, Both Easter and Christmas feature prominently as Christian Festivals. I am aware though that many different (Asian) people are here in New Zealand who are diverse. Is this a modern trend?

TeRata:Yes indeed. First off, imsomuch as I am the first guest of the night, I do not forget those who died in Europe and pay tribute to those who died in Brussels, Rest now in the love of God.So yes, to begin, we engage tonight's topic of Easter. Easter a time of love, a time of family. I acknowledge my brothers and sisters in Abraham, the members of Churches and Christians here in New Zealand and around the World, Greetings to all. But yes, tonight's topic looks at we who are outside the Church and we who are NOT Christian. We who are of different faiths, different groups and different schools of thought. So I am here to interview, to discuss and to speak about this with you tonight Pierre.

Pierre: TeRata, I have seen many different (Asian) people, and there are many and I am aware that they do things differently to Western people. It can be said that these times are not viewed the same way by all, is that so?

TeRata: Yes yes. That is so. It is true that for each faith group, there are different festivals. In terms of us as Muslims, first of all Easter is a Christian Festival and Easter has no relation to us as Muslims, we as Muslims have our own festivals. We have our own festivals and have our own (different) celebrations. Christians have Easters, we Muslims have something different. The same can be said, for Hindus, Jews and Buddhists. Yes. That is it. Christians have Easter, and Non Christians have other festivals.

Pierre: TeRata, Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Christ and his Ascencion to Heaven. Roman soldiers went to his grave and found that the dead body was not there. From that time, this was known as Easter. Is that what you say of Easter, so as to have unity in our discussion tonight.

TeRata: I would say this. The Maori language names this time as 'Aranga' (Resurrection Time). The English languages calls this time Easter. And so English does not really communicate the true meaning of this time, that is one thing to say at the start. Secondly, Christians have their celebrations for this time of Easter, given to them by their traditions. BUT, there is not 1 Biblical verse that calls us to celebrate Easter. So then where can have a unity in our discussion? We both say there is one God who has many Prophets. We also all believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.In that we have unity, but not neccesarily in the celebration of Easter. We have unity in the love of Christ.

Pierre: TeRata, one thing is clear. At this time people can go to the shop and buy eggs. Eggs as a symbol of new life. BUT, Easter eggs, much like Christmas celebrations if really researched, it is seen that these are NOT really from Christianity.

TeRata: Yes. Yes that is the basis of what I am saying. But before we really get in to that. I just want to say that I respect and love all the Christians of New Zealand and of the whole world. Many of my family are still Christian and go to Christian churches and they still celebrate Easter. And so I love my family who celebrate Easter. That is that. But Yes, what you say is true and yes research proves it. Eggs, and Chocolates and Bunnies all have no relation to the Bible. The Bible does NOT say 'In April go and eat eggs and chocolate and go after the chickens for Easter'. The Bible does not say that. Therefore why do Christians go and eat chocolate and search after rabbits and chicken eggs, because the Bible says nothing about that. These have nothing to do with Christianity and are from outside Christianity. 

Pierre: TeRata, what is Ramadan?

TeRata: For Muslims, Ramadan is a religious celebration. Just like Hindus have Diwali and Jews have Passover. Ramadan is one of our more famous celebrations. Ramadan is a one month where we fast. A time where in the daylight hours, we do not eat, drink or touch our spouse. So yes, a time where during daylight hours, we do not eat, drink or touch our spouse and this is for the whole month. This is a religious celebration for Muslims. This is similar to many religious celebrations in many religions that celebrate God. 

Pierre: TeRata, I have seen that the number of Maori Muslims has increased.Is that so?

TeRata: Yes. Statistics say that there are nearly 2 thousand. Something like 1800 Maori Muslims according to Statistics.

Pierre: TeRata, Is it true that Muslims don't cut their beards.

TeRata: Yes. Male Muslims do not generally cut their beards which is according to choice. We see great blessing in keeping a beard. Each person has a choice. Personally I myself, don't keep a beard as a school teacher. I know many Muslims who do keep their beards and keeping your beard is a good thing. And each person has a choice.

Pierre: TeRata, just one last question. Is it true that women must wear clothes that  cover their face, is that correct?

TeRata: Our Scriptures outline rules for dress. Our Scriptures say women can publically show their face and hands and nothing else. Men can show, the head, shoulders and the beginning of the chest and cover everything down to their knees. Everything must be covered between the chest and the knees. Rules differ between men and women. But there are rules for everyone related to dress. 

Pierre: TeRata, our time has run out. It is great to listen to you and our language. This has been learning and a sharing of knowledge. Thank you

TeRata: Thank you Pierre, Thank you everyone.

Pierre: That was TeRata Hikairo.

PRAY FOR BRUSSELS

I am urging all people of all faiths everywhere to pray for the people of Brussels.

Indeed we are once again called on, to pray for those struck by the great tragedy of ‘terrorism’.

We do not forget the suffering in all places and in all countries, including our own. We are secure in the knowledge and faith that God Almighty is our comfort.

(French)

Priez pour Bruxelles

J'exhorte toutes les personnes de toutes les confessions du monde entier à prier pour les gens de Bruxelles.

En effet, nous sommes une fois de plus fait appel à prier pour ceux frappés par la grande tragédie de «terrorisme».

Nous ne pas oublier la souffrance dans tous les lieux et dans tous les pays, y compris la nôtre. Nous sommes en sécurité dans la connaissance et la foi que Dieu Tout-Puissant est notre confort.

(Dutch)

Bid voor Brussel

Ik aandringen alle mensen van alle geloven overal te bidden voor de inwoners van Brussel.

Inderdaad zijn we weer een beroep op bidden voor degenen die getroffen door de grote tragedie van 'terrorisme'.

We niet het lijden in alle plaatsen en in alle landen, met inbegrip van onze eigen vergeten. We zijn veilig in de wetenschap en het geloof dat God de Almachtige is onze comfort.

(German)

Bete für Brüssel

Ich fordere alle Menschen aller Glaubensrichtungen überall für die Menschen in Brüssel, um zu beten.

Tatsächlich sind wir wieder auf beten genannt diejenigen, für die große Tragödie des "Terrorismus" geschlagen.

Wir vergessen nicht, das Leiden an allen Orten und in allen Ländern, einschließlich unserer eigenen. Wir sind sicher in dem Wissen und den Glauben, dass Gott, der Allmächtige unser Trost ist.

-          TeRata Hikairo – Maori Muslim in New Zealand 

#PriezpourBruxelles #BidVoorBrussel #PrayForBrussels 

Maori Muslim Prays for Jakarta

With the dust barely settled in the city of Istanbul Turkey, Muslims again mourn for and pray for those reportedly killed by a bomb blast in the capital of the most populous Muslim in the world, Indonesia.

In the last few hours, it is understood that Bombs rocked the city, reportedly killing 6 people.

This is a great tragedy, playing out across the Muslim world, not just in Indonesia today, but every day in Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It is now, MORE clear than ever, that Terrorists have laid waste to places in Muslim and Western countries.

Terrorists are Terrorists and have NO Religion.

It is devastating that more people are being killed by Terrorists.

I invoke and pray to the Merciful and Loving Allah, for the souls of those lost and for their families.

#PrayForJakarta #BerdoaUntukJakarta

Maori Muslim Prays for Victims of Istanbul Bombing

The Turkish Community and wider international Muslim Community invokes God’s mercy and blessing upon the victims and families affected by the reported bombing in a market place in central Istanbul, the Turkish capital.

I am appalled by what has happened and am saddened that terrorism has again rocked the world.

Terrorist acts sadly take place, far too frequently and hurt far too many people.

The sadness caused by such bloodshed makes us weary. Only faith in the Love and Mercy of God can get us through such sad times.

Maa te Atua Kaharawa, e manaaki, e tiaki ratou kei Turkey, otira nga whanau Turkish kei Aotearoa nei hoki.

#PrayForIstanbul #PrayForTurkey