Muslim scholar visits

09 July 2016, 12:00AM

A top Muslim Scholar is in Samoa to spread “peace and co-existence.” 

Imam Afroz Ali of Sydney, Australia has arrived for a time of solidarity with Muslim and Christian peoples of the nation. The visit was announced in a statement issued yesterday.

“Today is the celebration of Eid, after the month of Ramadan, a time traditionally of peace, and spirituality,” the statement reads. 

“The world continues to be shocked by incidents of hatred and ignorance, and in this time, we need to do everything we can to keep the Pacific a peaceful peace-loving place it is.”

According to the statement, a recent call to ban Islam by a senior church leader in Samoa is a “reminder of the global influence of far right and Christian far right evangelism that functions on the exclusion of others.”

“That is the opposite of what we need today: inclusiveness and togetherness for humanity.  

“As well as connecting with the community, Imam Afroz will hold meetings with church and government leaders, joining recent efforts such as the G20 Pacific Interfaith Summit in Fiji, and resuming his previous efforts for local collaborative projects that empower communities and bring people together. 

“Aarif Rasheed, lawyer of JustCommunity based in New Zealand, and Imam Afroz coordinated a humanitarian trip to Samoa in 2009 arriving the day after the devastating Tsunami with aid, as well established efforts towards a UN ecology project in the Christian-Muslim village of Vaiusu.”

09 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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