Imam Fouda addresses the crowd at Hagley Park, Christchurch on 22 March 2019
Imam Fouda addresses the crowd at Hagley Park, Christchurch on 22 March 2019

SocietyMarch 22, 2019

‘Hate will be undone, and love will redeem us’: Imam Fouda, a week on

Guest writer
Imam Fouda addresses the crowd at Hagley Park, Christchurch on 22 March 2019
Imam Fouda addresses the crowd at Hagley Park, Christchurch on 22 March 2019

Al Noor Mosque Imam Gamal Fouda today spoke to thousands of people of all faiths at Friday prayers in Hagley Park, a week after the terrorist attack in which many of his worshippers were murdered. Below, an abridged transcript of what he said.

Last Friday I stood in this mosque and saw hatred and rage in the eyes of the terrorist who killed 50 people, wounded 48 and broke the hearts of millions around the world. Today, from the same place I look out and I see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders and human beings from across the globe who fill the hearts of millions.

The terrorist tried to tear the nation apart with evil ideology. Instead we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable. And that the world can see injustice an example of love and unity.

We are brokenhearted but we are not broken.

We are determined to not let anyone divide us.

We are determined to love one another and to support each other. This evil ideology of white supremacy did not strike us first, yet it has struck us hardest. But the solidarity in New Zealand is extraordinary.

To the families of the victims, your loved ones did not die in vain. Their blood has watered the seeds of hope. The beauty of Islam and the beauty of our unity. They were the best of us, taken from us on the best of days, in the best of places, and performing the best of actions. They are not just martyrs of Islam, but they are martyrs of this nation, New Zealand.

Our loss of you is a gain to New Zealand’s unity. Your departure is an awakening not just for our nation, but for all humanity. Your martyrdom is a new life for New Zealand and a chance of prosperity for many. Our assembly here, with all the shades of our diversity, is a testament of our giant humanity.

We are here in our hundreds and thousands, unified for one purpose. That hate will be undone, and love will redeem us.

We are told by our prophet Mohammed that you can never truly show gratitude to almighty God if you are incapable of loving your fellow man. To the people of New Zealand, thank you for your peace. Thank you for your haka. Thank you for your flowers. Thank you for your love and compassion.

To our prime minister, thank you. Thank you for your leadership. It has been a lesson for the world’s leaders. Thank you for holding our families close, and honouring us with a simple scarf. Thank you for your words and deeds of compassion. Thank you for being one with us. Thank you to the New Zealand government and to all the wonderful people who have shown us that we matter, and are not forgotten.

Thank you to our police force and frontline services. You put our lives before your own, every day. Thank you to the neighbours, for opening your doors to save us from the killer. Thank you to those who pulled over their cars to help us. Thank you to those who brought us food and helped us when we found it difficult to stand. Thank you New Zealand for teaching the world what it means to love and care.

To my brothers and sisters, those who are here today to perform the weekly Friday prayer, thank you for coming together once again. It is easy to feel lost after the trauma you and I experienced. But the promise of Allah made to us is true.

Thank you for anger that is restrained and your mercy that is overflowing. Thank you for your steadfastness.

Islamophobia kills. Muslims have felt its pain for years around the world.

Islamophobia is real. It is a targeted campaign to dehumanise and irrationally fear Muslims. To fear what we wear. The choice of food we eat. To fear the way we pray and the way we practise our faith.

We call on governments around the world, including New Zealand’s and its neighbouring countries, to bring an end to hate speech and the politics of fear.

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The martyrdom of 50 people and the injury of 42 did not come overnight, it was the result of the anti-Muslim rhetoric of some political leaders, media agencies and others. Last week’s events are proof and evidence to the entire world that terrorism has no colour, has no race and has no religion. The rise of white supremacy and right wing extremism is a great global threat to mankind and this must end now.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my Muslim and non-Muslim brothers and sisters for attending today. And I would like also to thank our international guests who have come to our support and aid in these difficult times.

Have mercy upon us all. Oh, Allah, grant the word peace, security and prosperity. Oh, Allah, protect New Zealand and protect New Zealanders.

Keep going!
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves after a visit to the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Getty Images)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves after a visit to the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Getty Images)

SocietyMarch 22, 2019

Wear a headscarf today if you respect what it means

Guest writer
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves after a visit to the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Getty Images)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves after a visit to the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Getty Images)

Some have argued that non-Muslim women wearing headscarves today is a tokenistic gesture, or that the hijab itself is oppressive to women. Mahvash Ali, an associate producer for The Project NZ on Three, has this to say in response. 

Every time I get a call I stick my phone in my hijab and go about my business. My colleagues at The Project love it. I call it my Muslim bluetooth.

Once, a dear non-Muslim friend even tied a tea towel around his head and tried to stick his phone underneath. Hilarious, and a miserable fail. But no, I did not mind. Yes, I laughed till my stomach hurt. So, dear Kiwis, be assured when you put a scarf on your head Muslims will love it. Just don’t try it with a tea towel please.

I’ve been asked so many times if it will be hurtful to the community for non-Muslims to wear it. I am no scholar, but I can promise you it will not be disrespectful. Jacinda Ardern got it right.

The Arabic word hijab refers to an attitude of modesty. Muslims, men and women, are expected to be modest in their dressing and attitude. Covering up so that most of our bodies don’t show is part of that attitude. Lowering our gaze when talking to the opposite sex is the same.

There is no prescribed single way of covering up, which is why you see so many versions of the hijab, from a loose headscarf to the burqa. I like to pin mine and wear it tight because it’s just easier (also, Muslim bluetooth).

And here’s a newsflash – most Muslim men also have their heads covered. Many older men use something like a skull cap, although I’ve seen younger men use soft caps for the same purpose. Kids these days, I tell you.

So that brings us to another question, is the headscarf a symbol of oppression? Oh dear Lord, where do we start.

First, let’s not shy away from the uncomfortable. There are countries around the world where women are forced to wear it. And of course the hijab represents oppression for them.

But Muslim women in New Zealand choose to wear a headscarf. So for us, it is a symbol of liberation. It’s also a way of being recognised as a Muslim. In a world where everyone looks the same, it gives us Muslim sisters an identity.

So today, I am going to pack all my headscarves and take them to work. Because everyone at work will wear one. And when we observe two minutes of silence, we will all be the same. My pain will be no different from yours, because I am you and you are me.

And I won’t even mind if you drop today’s lunch on my good scarf (but please be careful).

Last Friday’s events will forever be etched in our memories. But, they have also brought us together. We have changed for the better. Had those 50 people not been taken away from us so brutally we would never be having these conversations.

Muslims consider those people martyrs and to us they are alive, just not in the flesh.

They have made all of us human again.

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