Dear Brothers and Sisters, New Zealand
Assalamu Alaikum,
I am writing to bring to your attention a deeply disturbing incident that recently took place in Karori, where a Pakistani family was subjected to racial harassment and Islamophobic abuse while traveling on a local bus. Sister Hina Sajid and her 10-year-old son, Abbas Farid, were verbally attacked by another passenger, who hurled vile threats and insults, targeting their identity as Migrant and Muslims. The man not only verbally abused them but also threatened their safety, leaving the family frightened and traumatized.
This incident, which took place in a community( Karori Wellington) known for its diversity and inclusivity, highlights a growing concern about the rise of racial and religious intolerance in New Zealand. While New Zealand has long been regarded as a tolerant and peaceful nation, we cannot ignore the fact that incidents like this are happening, threatening the safety and well-being of immigrants, particularly Muslim families.
We, as the Muslim community in Aotearoa, cannot remain silent in the face of such hate. It is our responsibility to stand in solidarity with the Sajid-Farid family and all those affected by similar acts of racism and Islamophobia. Our collective voice is essential in calling for justice and ensuring that New Zealand remains a safe and inclusive society for everyone, regardless of their race or religion.
In response to this distressing incident, the Islamic Circle of Aotearoa is working closely with Brother Ramzan’s family to offer them support and to raise awareness about the incident. However, we must go further by advocating for stronger measures to protect our community and ensure such incidents do not happen again.
To achieve this, we are calling for a community-wide response that includes the following actions:
- Public Advocacy and Awareness: We will continue to work with local authorities, community leaders, and media outlets to ensure this incident is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. The perpetrator must be held accountable for his actions, and there must be a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Community Meeting: We will be organizing a meeting of the Muslim community in Karori and surrounding areas to discuss this incident and strategize a collective response. This will include how we can support affected families and what steps can be taken to address the growing concerns of racial harassment and Islamophobia.
- Engagement with Law Enforcement and Government Authorities: We are in communication with local police and community representatives to ensure that this incident is fully investigated. We will also advocate for stronger protections for minorities, particularly for Muslim women, who are often the target of hate crimes due to their visible religious attire. We request to community members and Islamic organisations in Aotearoa to reach their MPs and local councils authorities to increase vigilance and took measure to address such hate crimes, especially when overall New Zealander and especially migrant families are dealing with hard time due to finical crisis.
- Support Networks: We encourage our community to offer emotional and psychological support to those affected by hate crimes. It is vital that families, especially children like Abbas, feel safe and supported in their schools, neighbourhoods, and daily activities. Many such cases remain unreported, we encourage community members to report such cases to concerned authorise are approach to ICA for support.
This is not just a Muslim issue; it is a matter of human rights and dignity for all. We ask that all communities in New Zealand, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, join us in condemning racism and bigotry in all its forms. Let us stand together to ensure that New Zealand continues to be a place of peace, tolerance, and respect for all who call it home.
May Allah (SWT) guide us and strengthen us in our efforts to create a safer and more compassionate society.
Jazakallah Khair for your continued support and commitment to justice.
Sincerely,
Dr Muhammad Ahsan Arshad
President
Islamic Circle of Aotearoa New Zealand
Karori Muslim Community Centre
CC: Federations of Muslim in New Zealand (FIANZ)
International Muslim Association New Zealand ( IMAN)