“This iftar event is history in the making as it is a first for New Zealand Police and in fact in Australasia (I stand to be corrected) that Police at a Police Station is hosting an Iftar,” says Sergeant Gurpreet Arora of Counties Manukau Police for hosting an iftar event at the station.
Counties Manukau hosted a momentous iftar for over 100 members of the community on Thursday, June 7 at the station.
The event started with a brief message by Counties Manukau West area commander Inspector Naila Hassan, who considers acknowledging her religion was a challenge after joining the force.
Female police officers joined the iftar event draped in a traditional Muslim head scarf and watched the Imam, Race Relations Representative and community leaders speak about the big milestone counties Manukau Police achieved.
“The objective of the event is to promote inclusiveness, celebrate diversity and strengthen our relationship and cooperation with the Muslim Community,” Sergeant Gurpreet Arora told The Indian Weekender.
Race Relations Representative Rakesh Naidoo commended the work of the Muslim community in New Zealand and acknowledged the diversity the community brings to the country.
Imam of Al-Mustafa Jamia Masjid in Otahuhu Imam Haji Abdul Shafeez lead the evening ‘Maghrib’ prayer after a brief iftar served to the guests. Haji Abdul Shafeez made a dua for the community and asked for the blessings of the entire community on this auspicious month of Ramadan.
Post iftar, guests were served with a dinner where police officers and guests interacted with each other.
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