Part 2: Muslim Women in New Zealand

Maryanne is a former refugee from Cambodia. Koos is Somalian, here since 2001 and September 11. Leila is of Fijian Indian and English heritage, emigrating to New Zealand when she was seven during the 1960’s. From the Sunday community prayers at the Kilbirnie Mosque in Wellington to celebrating Iftar (the break-fast meal after sunset) during Ramadan at Hamilton’s Mosque, these women’s life experiences are as varied as their ethnicities, yet all united by their Islamic faith. How do they feel about their lives as Muslims in New Zealand? How do they perceive their diverse Muslim communities integrating within the wider New Zealand public? What do they think about the common misconceptions and stereotypes about Muslim women? What do they think about recent events, local and international that seem to impact on Muslim’s lives here?