To the respected Muslim community across New Zealand,
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh,
FIANZ is scheduled (22nd July 2025) to sign an agreement referred to as the Harmony Accord on behalf of the Muslim community in New Zealand, with two Jewish organisations, one of which is publicly aligned with pro-Zionist positions.
Over the past few days, a group of Ulama (Islamic scholars), Imams, and leaders of Islamic organisations from various regions of New Zealand have engaged in urgent consultations regarding the proposed draft of the so-called “Harmony Accord.” This document came to our attention (through non-official channel) just days before its planned official signing between the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and two Jewish organisations.
Despite our sincere efforts to engage constructively with the FIANZ representative, Br. Abdul Razzaq, including two formal meetings and a detailed written submission outlining our concerns and proposed amendments as requested, we received no official response from the FIANZ Executive Council. Instead, a public statement was released by FIANZ explaining their rationale and intent to proceed with signing, despite clear objections raised by a significant group of scholars, legal professionals, and civil society advocates, and without any meaningful consultation with religious scholars or community representatives.
Accordingly, after careful consideration, we find it to be our religious, moral, and communal duty to issue this public statement on behalf of the undersigned organisations and individuals—seeking clarity, accountability, and unity within the Muslim community, and fulfilling our responsibility before Allah.
Upon learning of the imminent signing of the Accord, a series of emergency meetings were convened by concerned Ulama, Imams, and community leaders representing mosques and Islamic institutions across New Zealand. Attendees included:
Participants:
|
Sh. Muhammad Aammer Sh. Muhammad Anwar Sh. Abu Anas Sh. Himayatullah Sh. Muhammad Shakir |
Sh. Muhammad Patel Sh. Shazly Khan Sh. Alaa Mubarak Sh. Reza Abdul Jabbar Sh. Khalil |
Note: The above individuals were present in the initial consultative meetings. The signatories to this statement are listed below and represent the final endorsing parties.
These respected scholars and leaders reached a unanimous consensus to reject the Accord in its current form, citing grave religious, ethical, and communal concerns, as well as a clear lack of transparency and proper consultation.
Our Concerns Regarding the Accord:
1. Lack of Consultation and Genuine Representation:
The Accord was never shared with key Islamic scholars, institutions, or the wider Muslim public. It lacked the basic process of transparent and inclusive consultation, and thus cannot be said to represent the New Zealand Muslim community in any legitimate capacity.
2. Doctrinal, Cultural, and Ethical Concerns:
The Accord contains ambiguous language and concepts that are open to interpretation, potentially leading to positions inconsistent with Islamic beliefs or misused in future contexts beyond the original intent of the agreement.
3. Complete Omission of the Palestinian Tragedy:
We are deeply alarmed and disappointed that the Accord makes no mention of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Thousands of civilians—including women and children—are being systematically targeted, starved, and displaced in what leading international human rights bodies have classified as war crimes and acts of genocide.
Even more troubling is that one of the Jewish signatories to the Accord has publicly expressed support for the current Israeli policies in Palestine. Proceeding with such an agreement, without any acknowledgment of these realities, is ethically unacceptable, deeply painful for our community, and runs contrary to our shared values of justice and humanity.
4. Concerns Around Youth Engagement and Religious Education:
While we support constructive interfaith educational programs, such initiatives must include theological safeguards. Without scholarly oversight, there is a real risk that such efforts could unintentionally undermine Islamic values or promote secular or pluralistic ideologies inconsistent with our faith—especially in youth and educational settings.
Regarding the Role of FIANZ:
True representation of New Zealand Muslims requires inclusive and transparent engagement with Ulama and Islamic organisations—particularly when addressing matters with theological, cultural, and communal implications.
Signing such sensitive agreements, regardless of intentions, without thorough consultation creates legal, social, and ethical consequences. It also risks falsely implying that the views of all Muslims are aligned behind the signatories.
We emphasise that declining to sign an agreement that contradicts Islamic principles and communal consensus does not equate to disengagement from interfaith dialogue. On the contrary, it is a principled stand to ensure that dialogue is based on mutual respect, clarity, and integrity—as the Qur’an teaches: “And do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner…” [Qur’an 29:46]
The idea that declining to sign an agreement risks losing the Muslim community’s “seat at the table” is troubling. New Zealand is a democratic country, built on rights and fairness. We believe the Government will continue to engage with Islamic organisations representing over 75,000 Muslims, regardless of their principled objection to this Accord.
Final Position:
2. Any individuals or organisations who choose to sign the agreement do so solely on their own behalf. Their decision does not reflect the views of the wider Muslim community in New Zealand.
3. We urge Muslims in New Zealand to reject the Accord in its current form, recognising it as unrepresentative and lacking legitimacy.
Our Core Values
1. We affirm that Muslims in New Zealand have, for decades, coexisted peacefully and respectfully with Jewish and other faith communities. The tragic terrorist attack in Christchurch in 2019, which claimed the lives of 51 innocent Muslims, was the act of a violent extremist and does not reflect the values or character of New Zealand society. As Muslims, we reject all forms of violence, racism, and extremism—whether against us or others—and remain committed to justice, compassion, and cooperation.
2. We value all genuine initiatives that seek to promote social harmony, inclusion, and peace across New Zealand.
3. We believe in meaningful interfaith dialogue and partnerships that benefit the broader society.
4. We insist that any agreement involving Muslim representation must respect Islamic values, be rooted in community consultation, and reflect the views of the actual Muslim public.
Our Prayer
We ask Allah Almighty to unite our hearts upon truth, guide our steps with wisdom, protect the dignity of the Muslim community in New Zealand, and bring justice to all those who are oppressed.
Wa-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh.
Signed:
Organizations:
1. Alhera Dawah
2. Almannar Trust (Auckland)
3. Alnejashi Islamic Trust
4. Ashburton Masjid
5. Ashburton Muslim Association (AMAN)
6. As Habul Quran Wasunnah Association (AQWA)
7. AUT Muslim Students’ Association (AUTMSA)
8. Furqan Trust
9. Humanitarian Support Committee NEw Zealand
10. Indonesian Muslim Association
11. Manukau Islamic Youth Centre (MIYC)
12. MASJED Al Rahman, Sh. Abu Omar (Auckland)
13. Murihiku Islamic Trust
14. Massey Muslim Students’ Association (MUMSA)
15. Muslim Ummah of New Zealand (MUNZ)
16. New Zealand Board of Imams
17. North Shore Islamic Association (NSIA)
18. Salam Trust (Auckland)
19. Serve The Humanity
20. Southland Muslim Association
Imams and Ulama:
1. Sh. Abdul Mateen (Auckland)
2. Sh. Abdul Basit (Auckland)
3. Sh. Abdulmanan Ahmed Burka (Auckland)
4. Sh. Abdulsalam (Auckland)
5. Sh. Abu Anas (Auckland)
6. Sh. Alaa Mubarak (Auckland)
7. Sh. Ataur Rahman, Dr. (Auckland)
8. Sh. Dr. Mohammed Farid Ali (Auckland)
9. Sh. Hazem Arafah (Palmerston North)
10. Sh. Himayatullah (Auckland)
11. Sh. Kababa (Auckland)
12. Sh. Mohamed Salim (Auckland)
13. Sh. Mohamed Zewada (Wellington)
14. Sh. Muhammad Shaffiee (Auckland)
15. Sh. Omar Elnagar (Ashburton)
16. Sh. Reza Abdul Jabbar (Invercargill)
17. Sh. Shazly Khan (Hamilton)
18. Sh. Ziyaul Haqq (Auckland).
