...International Muslims Organisation...

New Zealand ...

In 1995, the vice President of the IMO Hazrat Shaykh Noorul Aqtab Siddiqi inaugurated the IMO branch in New Zealand.  Since then, Hazrat Noorul Aqtab Siddiqi and Hazrat Zainul Aqtab Siddiqi have toured it at length.  In addition to speeches which have attracted many thousands, the Shaykhs have invested time into meeting local Scolars.  As a result, the vast majority of the local scholars are aligned to the ethos and underlying philosophy of the IMO. 

The IMO has constructed over ten mosques in New Zealand.  These have subsequently become hubs of community advancement and the inculcation of Islamic awareness within the ever growing local Muslim population.  These are also at the centre of the many social development programmes implemented by the IMO in New Zealand.

Many hundreds of the local population have forged spiritual ties with the Shaykhs by becoming Mureed of the Naqshbandi Hijazi Sufi order.  They therefore have a deep affinity for the IMO’s work and are at the forefront of many of its activities in New Zealand.

The way forward ...

New Zealand is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty and resources.  The New Zealanders are peace loving people who follow global and social trends.  They wholeheartedly appreciate the rich diversity in their population and welcome new cultures into their nation.  The IMO will work towards nurturing this mindset through its activities by providing New Zealanders with greater exposure to other communities.  This will afford them the opportunity to learn what other communities have to offer and how it can enrich their existing culture. 

There is a perception among the international community that New Zealand is not assertive on the international stage.  This, of course is not necessarily the case.

New Zealand’s considerable economic strength is primarily based on its extensive meat trade.  It has especially targeted non meat producing countries across the Middle East and served them loyally over the last fifty years.  Its resultant significance in relation to the Middle East should not be underestimated.  The IMO will work towards strengthening the positive partnerships which New Zealand has forged in this region so it can continue to enjoy its flourishing trade.

The IMO will also invite Muslim institutions to engage with New Zealand on a global level.  This would strengthen ties where they may have been weakened in the past.