Big Ramadan event might be cancelled in Canterbury due to safety fears
Tuesday, 30 April 2019
Muslim elders are considering cancelling four large Ramadan gatherings in Christchurch due to safety fears.
They say many families are too scared to attend events and expect a low turnout at Linwood Masjid for daily prayers during the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. But other mosques around the country, including the Al Noor Masjid in Christchurch, are expecting bigger numbers than usual for the period, with usual gatherings going ahead – albeit with armed police at the door.
Police will not reveal details of safety measures to be deployed for the 30-day period, but Muslim officials say they have been assured armed police officers will guard mosques around the country every evening until early June.
Ramadan is expected to begin this year on Monday evening and end on June 4, but the dates are dependent on moon sightings. An end of fasting celebration, called Eid al-Fitr, is expected to happen on June 5.
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Every year up to 400 people gather every Saturday night during Ramadan in Christchurch for a public Iftar, where they break fast together.
Linwood Masjid imam Ibrahim Abdelhalim said the Canterbury Muslim Community Trust (CMCT) already had a booking at the Halswell Centre for this year, but discussed cancelling the four Iftars to keep the community safe.
'We don't want to take a big risk for our children. Families who have deceased or injured people are traumatised and scared.'
Abdelhalim said the CMCT was trying to transfer the booking to another Muslim organisation who might use it for a similar event.
A CMCT spokesperson said its programme for this year was 'still undecided'.
'However, due to security concerns around very large gatherings of 500-plus people it is likely that our Ramadan programme will be modified this year.'
Canterbury police inspector Hirone Waretini said police were aware the CMCT was considering cancelling the events, but did not provide advice or input.
Abdelhalim said many Muslims in Christchurch were scared of attending big gatherings.
'It's too hard this year to do the same as we did before. I'm very sad.'
Every evening during Ramadan, the Linwood mosque was normally as full as it was during Friday prayers, but this year Abdelhalim expected about half the usual number.
'People think there is not enough security for all Muslims. The Linwood area is not safe at night.'
Elders from the community had created a small group who would meet with families who were scared to go to the mosque.
'We will visit people in their home, give them compassion, solidarity.'
Al Noor Masjid imam Gamal Fouda expects more people than usual to attend daily Ramadan prayers at the Deans Ave mosque this year.
While a few people were scared of going to the mosque, attendance numbers at Friday prayers had been high, he said.
He would meet with Canterbury police on Wednesday to discuss security for the Ramadan period.
'I hope police is going to give strong security for the mosques in New Zealand. People in Christchurch don't feel safe, so police need to give strong support to the community to reassure them.'
'I hope it will be a happy time and relieve people from the stress and trauma,' Fouda said.
Al Noor spokesman Tony Green said perhaps people were more afraid to go to the Linwood mosque because it was a smaller building in a neighbourhood perceived to be less safe at night.
The Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ) cancelled a nationwide mosques open day last week to avoid putting too much pressure on police close to Anzac day, but hoped it would take place at most mosques after Ramadan.
Police guarded mosques nationwide after the March 15 attacks, but only remained on Christchurch sites after the terror level was downgraded from 'high' to 'medium' on April 17.
FIANZ Spokesman Dr Anwar Ghani said police had assured the Muslim community armed officers would return to mosques for Ramadan. There would be increased security from about 5pm to 10pm so people felt safe to come come, break fast and pray together.
There had been an increase in interest in Islam and a surge in visitors from around the world so numbers were expected to be higher than usual this year, he said.
A police spokesperson said they would not disclose 'specific deployment and security information' for 'operational reasons'.
Staff were at 'potential risk sites', such as churches, synagogues, mosques and major events, as it was deemed appropriate.
'While we have no information to suggest any specific risk to public safety at this time, our advice to the public continues to be that they should remain vigilant and to report any suspicious or concerning behaviour to police by calling 111.'
WHAT IS RAMADAN?
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, celebrating the time the Koran was revealed to prophet Muhammad.
It is expected to run from May 6 to June 4, but the dates could change depending on moon sightings.
A celebration to end Ramadan called Eid al-Fitr is expected on June 5.
Every Muslim is required to fast – no food or drink during daylight hours – during Ramadan, except for pregnant women, young children, the elderly and sick.
There are about 50,000 Muslims in New Zealand and about 60 mosques and Islamic centres.
Ghani said Ramadan was not only about fasting, 'it's about improving and uplifting our spirituality and becoming better than we have been'. Muslims would 'make sure their neighbours and relatives are at peace with them and be kind to everyone around them'.
A call to prayer is usually made at mosques just after sunset, after which people have light finger foods and drinks. They then gather again for prayer and go home to have a meal with their family. Many come back for a longer prayer after that. Many Muslims get up about 4am in the morning for a quick snack and cup of tea then go to mosque for morning prayers before starting their day as usual and come back at sunset to break the fast.