Imported post: Facebook Note: 2019-10-18T21:13:37

Lets go back in time. It was in the early 80s, around 83, or maybe 84. The was someone sick at the hospital, I didnt remember whether he/she was a visitor or resident Muslim. A local Muslim sister visited that sick person at the hospital wearing hijab. Not many Muslim ladies wearing hijab in those days. A student doctor at the hospital asked her, “Are you a Muslim?” “Yes. Alhamdulillah” she said. That doctor was Dr Saleh Al Samahi from Saudi Arabia and he was introduced to the Christchurch Muslim community by the end of that week, joining Friday prayer and weekend community gathering. Someone did explained to Dr Saleh Al Samahi about the plan of building a masjid and how we needed more funds to continue building. One winter day, we set up a tent on the site of the masjid to receive visitors from Saudi Arabia, and we received a grant of $460,000 from Saudi Arabian Government. Beside that there were few other large donations came in. We had a breaking ground ceremony that year. During this ceremony, there was a protest gathering by some group. Some people didnt like us building a masjid. (Dr Saleh is in the picture above, 2nd from right. 1st from right was Dr Razzaq Khan, MAC president 1986-88) So the masjid building continue in earnest in 1985. Our architect was Rashid Wallen who worked for architectural firm Endel Lust. Sometime in August 85, the masjid was completed. We invited Dr Jamal Badawi from USA to deliver speech on Islam and Christianity and explained the difference and similarity between Islam and Christianity. At the end of the speech, during question time, one man got up and objected to Dr Jamal Badawi saying that to say that “there is only ONE GOD and not THREE” is a blasphemy. “I am only explaining the difference between Christian belief and Muslim belief, you have the freedom to believe.” Dr Jamal Badawi said. The prayer hall was full. Everyone was invited that night, and there were no chairs, everyone had to sit on the carpet. As I remember, the carpet was green with cream lines, New Zealand made carpet. The architect also explained to us that the artwork on the glass windows were also done locally. That woodwork near the imam alcove is made of local totara wood, so is the mimbar. If you look up where the wall meet the ceiling you would see the word “La ilaha illallah” written in arabic script. the picture above was probably taken one afternoon after Friday prayer.

Imported post: Facebook Note: 2019-10-16T08:49:54

It was in April 1982. A property on Deans Avenue, Riccarton, Christchurch was for sale. The land area was roughly 3600 sqm. It was a piece of land housing a horse stable smack bang in the middle of the property. The second photo was the stable building. The land was not even, with small hillocks, consistent with the previous use as a horse training ground. There were not many Muslims in Christchurch back then, most of us were students from as far away as Sudan, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia. One Muslim brother turn up at the real estate office that day when the property was for sale. No one else. A large piece of land, so close to the city a very suitable site for masjid. No one else turn up, cant blame them, because they are young students at the university. They wouldnt know what to do. The real estate agent told this Muslim man, that there is also an interest from a church group. "I cant make decision, the other guys hasnt turn up yet." Time was ticking. The real estate agent said, "You have to sign on these dotted line by 12 noon, then I can say that the property is sold. There is also another church group interested in this property, they are willing to pay $110,000." " Can I ring my lawyer first?" He hurriedly walked to the phone booth at the end of the street. In those days, there was a red phone booth near the corner of Brockworth Pl and Deans Ave. His lawyer told him that settlement date is in 3 months time, and it shouldnt be a problem. "Just in case you cant pay, we can always resell the property at a profit." "I am buying this property to build a masjid, not to make profit!" So he came back to meet the real estate agent and signed on the dotted line. All in, it cost $100,000. We didnt have much money back then. Our account only had a few hundreds. So we save money among ourselves, fundraise by organizing ethnic food fetes, participating in ethnic food market, selling our food to raise funds. Slowly the money start to come in. The first thing we built was the fence. Yes the cinder block wall. We built them on our side of property, so the neighbours has no right to paint or attach anything to it. That fence is our property. "Yes we are being kind to our neighbours by letting them attach postboxes to our wall." Right next door to us, at number 107, at the back, there was a veterinary clinic. When we were building the wall, this vet couldnt use his garage because the entrance was too narrow now that we build the wall. So we gave away that sliver of land to him for free. Love thy neighbour. "If your neighbour is hungry, you shouldnt eat either, feed your neighbour first." He was happy. "You can do whatever with your land, I wouldnt raise any objection." We couldnt do anything for 4 years while we were raising the funds. In the weekends we organised working bees to level the land ready for building the masjid. And when there was enough money to lay the foundation, we got it done, and then wait some more for more funds to continue building.

Imported post: Facebook Note: 2019-09-13T18:24:04

Back in Jan 1985, when I arrived in Christchurch to attend Canterbury Uni, the mosque was being built, at the raft stage. A few workmen were onsite, the foundation has been laid, but the concrete raft floor has just been laid. It was still wet. We performed Friday prayet in a small room in the stable building behind the mosque. There were less than 15 of us, including 2 ladies for the first Friday prayer that I attended. We were close back then. Our first imam was Br Osman Gaafar, a post grad student from Sudan. Some of us, including me, still in contact with his family. Later in the year, in August, the construction of the mosque was finished. It was the southernmost mosque in the world back then, and the size was comparably bigger than the Ponsonby mosque in Auckland. The late Dr Saleh AlSamahi, was instrumental in getting a large donation from Saudi royal family. Let me remind you, that our first Islamic Centre was at 534 Tuam Street. A 2-bedroom house with a small lounge that we used as prayer hall. Our Muslim Community raise money by selling ethnic foods at markets and collecting donations. Why am I writing all these? I have been part of Christchurch Muslim Community for a long time. I know most of the old timers who have been the pillars of our community since the 70s. Quite a few of them have passed away. May Allah grant them Jannah. Now is the election time to choose the office bearers who will continue the legacy of our pioneers back in the 70s and 80s. What are the qualities of people do we want to lead us in the next 2 years? I would start with: 1.Integrity. 2.Transparency; clear communication, yes please be transparent to all our community members. Dont set up cliques and decide among your cliques on important issues, and then buldoze that decision without agreement from other committee members. And please write down the minutes of your committee meeting and publish them. 3.Communicate with us, our Muslim community. Write us email and newsletter, please. As well as publishing in website and facebook. Not all of us have access to facebook, so printed newsletter is still relevant. 4.Ability to write. May sound basic, but it is essential that our leaders knows how to put pen on paper, and be able to communicate with ease. We dont want people who is all talk and no action, do we? 5. Knowledge. Let's give the job to people who have the right talent and knowledge. 6. Able to devise a strategy to achieve goals. 7. Organisational skill. This is not just relevant to the president, but also to everyone else in the committee. 8. Team work. Everyone must be a team player, regardless of their background. 9. Delegation. Please divide your workload. What I would like to see in the future: The basic.congregational/jamaat prayer for all 5 daily prayers in the mosque without fail. I dont have to quote hadith on this, every Muslim knows the importance of this. I am not saying if there is anything wrong as of the past 3 years, but there are room for improvement. Transparency, clear communication. No hush hush. I want to see newsletter again. Tell us what is happening. Not everyone is on facebook. The website is also dead. Some of us are not computer literate, you know. The financials; I would like to see how we are doing. How much is coming in, where it was spent, etc.If you gave some money to a member of our community who was in need, that's good, but put it on record. Many years ago we put the financial statement on the noticeboard. You see, I dont have high expectations. I am not asking you to set up a school, community gathering for Eids or conferences etc. .

I havent posted anything for years..

I have more audience in facebook... here is the link to my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/noor.hamzah

Imported post: Facebook Note: 2019-06-14T17:13:54

I arrived at the courthouse early, about 830am, considering that the proceeding doesnt start until 9am. Media people were waiting on the street in front of the courthouse. Entry was controlled, there were 4 security personnel at the door, and I was asked if I were among the victims and surivors, which I acknowledged. There were more security officers inside, and a few policemen. Handbags, wallets, cellphones have to be scanned, just like at the boarding gate at the airport. At the bottom of the escalator, I was met by two ladies ushers, and one of them accompany me to the courtroom 12. The main court was alrady filled up, only a few seats left. I chose a seat at the back by the wall. I want to be invisible. There was a Muslim court officer, probably from Auckland, Arif Rashid, who explained what was happening and court process to us. He wore purple kopiah on his head, and baggy pants Pakistani style and tailored suit top. I saw Rashid, Ashraf and Rosemary in front of me. I also recognised Alison and Becky from Victim Support, whom I met the first time yesterday afternoon. It was a while before the court officers and lawyers started to come in to take their places in front of the judge bench. Judge; Justice Manders. The hearing starts and the defendant appears on screen. A short stature white man, wearing grey sweatshirt. Short black hair, with noticeable receding hairline. The judge orders the media that they can only write on the proceeding, and not recording. The judge also said “no electronic filing” The case is formally known as, Crown vs Brendon Harrison Tarrant Prosecutor: Mr Zarifeh apply to amend charges, adding charges of Terrorism Suppression Act. Defending counsel: Mr Tait, on behalf of the defendant plead not guilty to all charges, and also not guilty to terrorism charge. Suppression order to the 51st charge of murder has been lifted Interim order of suppression of name has been lifted. For victims under the age of 18 years, the name suppression to continue. 2 lines here that cannot be written because of order of suppression. Trial date is tentatively to start on 4th May 2020, estimated between 6 weeks and 3 months. Mental health assessment of the defendant completed, deemed fit to stand trial. Suppression order for name of Mr Tuiyan lifted. 16 August 2019 is the next appearance in court. Formal written statement has to be given to the court on this date. Concern has been raised by members of Muslim community that the trial will be in Ramadan next year.