Given New Zealand’s geographical isolation from the rest of the world and a tradition of being a highly inclusive, multicultural, stable and peaceful civil society it may not be an ideal place to be rattled by the “Anti-Semitism versus Anti-Islam” debate.
However, the emergence of the much reported “hate-speech” allegedly delivered by a prominent Auckland-based Muslim cleric Dr Mohammad Anwar Sahib, at the At-Taqwa mosque in Manukau, has unleashed a debate that what is more sinister of the two – anti-Semitism or anti-Islam.
The speech which is reported to be delivered sometime in the month of November and first published on whale oil (blog) before going viral has been quickly picked up the Human Rights Commission and has been since widely criticised by one and all.
In the video, Dr Sahib is seen making a statement that "the Christians are using the Jews, and the Jews are using everybody."
The Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy has condemned the Auckland Imam's anti-Semitic hate speech.
Anti-Semitism is hostility or prejudice against Jews and is explained as an umbrella term for the negative stereotypes about Jews.
We live in one of the most ethnically diverse nations on earth as well as one of the most peaceful: this is because we are a tolerant nation.
This kind of intolerance is not welcome here in any form - prejudice against Jewish people has no place in New Zealand," she said in a media statement.
Ethnic Communities Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga called Sahib's speech "offensive and insulting" and said his comments "is way out of step with New Zealand's egalitarian values".
David Cumin, a member of the New Zealand Jewish Council, also criticised Sahib's speeches saying that “it was a concern particularly as they were broadcast publicly.”
While initial media reports were expectedly focused on the unacceptable content of the alleged hate-speech seeking clarification from the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) the apex body of Muslim associations on this purported speech, there is a need to balance the two sins of anti-Semitism and anti-Islam appropriately in the best interests of New Zealand.
Anti-Islam, largely categorised as Islamophobia, refers to fear, prejudice, hatred or dislike directed against Islam or Muslims, or towards Islamic politics or culture.
There is a global upsurge of anti-Islam in the 21st century which if not managed by one and all, especially by the global mainstream media, which is already facing a major question mark on its ability to comprehend the real world issues in the post-Trump world, has the potential to jeopardise global peace.
It is important to note that the response issued by the FIANZ and IWCNZ (Islamic Women’s Council New Zealand), and representatives of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand have categorically and unreservedly criticised the hate speech.
IWCNZ was more vocal in stating that “these are totally inappropriate and we unequivocally condemn any divisive comments of a similar nature. While we may disagree with aspects of Jewish theology and may have political disagreements, we see the Jewish people as closely connected to us through the Abrahamic tradition. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had good relationships with his Jewish neighbours & encouraged Muslims to do the same.”
IWCNZ further took exception to the comments on the women saying that “we would like to note that Muslim women are and have always been active inside and outside their households, contributing socially and financially to the community.”
Similarly, Mr Bashir Khan, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand said Islam commands us to protect other faiths and their holy places of worship. The Prophet Muhammad even formed a pact with the Jews and not only protected their rights but enjoined all Muslims to protect their Jewish brothers.”
FIANZ expectedly was less tearful as Dr Sahib is a functionary of the body, yet it distanced itself from the comments saying that “Dr Sahib's views do not represent the beliefs of that organisation or most Muslim New Zealanders.”
Importantly, though, FIANZ was critical of the mainstream media’s overemphasis on the “hate-speech” alleging that “we note that many peace and community building events organised by Muslims have gone unnoticed including during the past week. Disproportionate coverage and highlighting only controversial incidents, alongside no mention of peace-building initiatives continue to shape a skewed perspective of Muslims and other communities.”
This was shortly followed by the statement issued by the cleric in question Dr Sahib himself who has alleged that he was thoroughly misrepresented and misunderstood in this video, which is a cut-copy-paste of many of his speeches delivered at different times, in a different context.
“Sadly and falsely, I have been accused of giving hate speeches and being anti-Semitic.
I was made aware of a post by Cameron Slater from Whaleoil on Saturday morning regarding my past lectures. In that post, he has unfairly cut and pasted various short sections of my lectures and presented them as complete. He has thus taken my lectures entirely out of context and completely misrepresented me,” said Dr Sahib in a press release on his official website.
The controversy and the following debate have raised an important question for the media and the wider civil society that are we balanced in our response to these two sinister stereotypes – anti-Semitism and anti-Islam?