Auckland mosque apologises for Bhamji’s Mossad comments
An Auckland mosque has apologised to its “Jewish Brothers and Sisters” for the rant by Ahmed Bhamji at a rally in which he suggested Mossad was behind the Christchurch massacre on March 15
The Masjid Ayesha mosque
The Masjid Ayesha mosque apologised for Bhamji’s comments and thanked the Jewish community for their support following the massacre.
President of the New Zealand Jewish Council Stephen Goodman told J-Wire: “The New Zealand Jewish Council is heartened by the apology from the Clendon mosque plus calls and messages from others in the Muslim community decrying the statements made by Ahmad Bhamji. This supports our assertion that the antisemitism expressed at the Auckland Rally is an aberration and a personal comment. The vast majority of the Muslim Community are more in line with the Clendon mosque.
The tragedy of the terrorist attack should only emphasise the threats we all face from intolerance. We are hoping to put this incident behind us and move on to have enhanced relations between our two communities. New Zealand should be a place where all groups can practice their religion without fear or abuse.”
The apologies from Masjid Ayesha in Auckland and the Federation of Islamic Associations are heartening and welcome and in the spirit of healing of Friday’s ceremony. Thanks to the congregants of Masjid Ayesha and members of the Federation. However I make these points:
I do not know what relationship obtains between Masjid Ayesha in Auckland, the Federation and the Mt Roskill mosque in Christchurch where Ahmed Bhamji is chairman and therefore I cannot fully appreciate how the apology issuing from Auckland has a bearing on his conduct. An apology from the Mt Roskill mosque would be important. Ahmed Bhamji is not just an individual. He is chairman of Mt Roskill mosque. He holds a position of authority and presumably leadership and influence within that mosque. Those who saw the footage of his ‘rant’ will know that his pronouncement has already aroused vocal agreement from his audience. Since Ahmed Bhamji is also an adult with his own voice, an apology from him might go some way to reassuring his audience that he is aware of the offensive nature of his comments, that they are indeed antisemitic and therefore racist, and that he will desist. As the PM of NZ has repeatedly pronounced, racist views have no place.
I don’t think the letter signed by Abdul Qayyum of the Masjid Ayesha mosque apologising on behalf of Ahmed Bhamji who I believe has an official capacity at the mosque is acceptable. Why hasn’t Ahmed Bhamji himself apologised? To describe this man’s belief that the Mossad and Zionist businessmen backed the white supremacist murderer as “disturbing and hurting comments” and “unacceptable and thoughtless comments” is a totally unacceptable whitewash.
I believe the congregation should disaffiliate Ahmed Bhamji from their mosque and he should be charged with racial vilification. The apology shouldn’t be to “the Jewish Community” but to the international community.