*Yes it’s making me feel odd too. I’m trying to be generous and think it’s to make the appearance of a woman in hijab less scary or strange to others. I’m completely against the practice though. I’m not sure she should of done that.
Anyway... I’m still waiting for other Kiwis to support the idea of Parihaka Day... they’ll accept hijab but not Māori culture... says it all.*
I’m sorry Jessica, you claimed that as a indigenous kiwi it is rude that I call you out for derailing.
As a Muslim woman, wearing the hijab, I think it is rude that you are using a situation that quite clearly was a huge hate crime against the Islamic faith, to raise awareness about another issue that matters to YOU. Yes the issue you are referring to is relevant, but it’s not the main issue.
I consider it rude and insensitive that you shall think that you can use your voice at a time like this to share your opinion about the hijab. And to campaign for Māori culture regardless of how significant it is and regardless of my respect for that culture.
This was a huge hate crime against the Muslim faith. A lot of Muslims are being targeted. Yes this manifesto was against immigration and non-whites but he clarified very much that he targeted Muslims because they’re more visible and hated. And so he did. And the blood shed was Muslim. And the rest of the Muslim community is suffering from the inspired attack’s.
So I think i would like to point out, that you don’t represent me in this situation. You are sounding extremely insensitive as you post and your enthusiasm is misplaced. your empathy is clearly in the wrong place. And it’s frankly rude to ride on the wave of sorrow of others to achieve your own ends.
There is no expectation for anyone to wear hijab in support, but clearly the gesture was to show Muslim women that extra bit of empathy and solidarity. While your feminist views are valid to you, but this is not the time to be airing them and not on this thread which quite clearly is a place for Muslim women in this forum to be attending. A lot of Muslim women like myself who are hoping to find comments which make them not second doubt how much they’re accepted by society despite all the hate crimes.
I did find it extremely disheartening at how you excitedly used this event to start campaigning for those who want to study Māori. I admit I didn’t know much about Māori people and I was deeply fascinated and learnt about them because of you. I did appreciate that. But it did make me feel like the lives of the many people who died was a secondary focus. at a time when the focus should be on the victims and what They stood for...
What we really need to be addressing in this thread is islamophobia... and seeing how you mentioned your opinion that you think people should learn about Muslims more before they’re “afraid” of them... I feel like you aren’t demonstrating that, you are confirming your sympathy with Islamophobia.. at a time when your sympathy should be with the victims.
The women wearing hijab in solidarity wasn’t to show people that they shouldn’t be “scared” of muslim... we aren’t animals in a zoo... seeing how many Muslims are in Australia and New Zealand I think this argument is frankly outdated. And in fact, this argument is not for the moment in time when 50 Muslims have lost their lives in the most vulnerable way possible.
Wearing the hijab was just visible solidarity with the Muslim people to show Them that they shouldn’t be scared of their surrounding. That their appearance doesn’t mean they’re not accepted... and in fact, it went a long way. I’m cringing at how self-centred it is to think that this event was about making “everyone else” feel ok aside from the victims. Further dehumanising what should be the main focus.
I don’t think anyone was worried about how you saw it. Because quite rightly, the focus right now is on the Muslim community affected by this. And how they see it.
Yes you are indigenous, but you didn’t lose a life. And your sacred place wasn’t attacked... yes this happened in your country but you are outnumbered by those who show greater empathy than you do right now and so you don’t represent.
I’m quite astounded that given the percentage of Muslims living in your country that you and the pp after you refer to us as the “other” in a dehumanising way , at a situation like this.
You are free to believe about the hijab what you may, but I think this thread is important to people like me.. and I think you should respect that you should maintain the focus and sensitivity which is adequate to the situation.
So please, don’t speak on my behalf and on the behalf of my dead brethren.. and on behalf of all those Muslims who are currently being targeted as inspired by this terrorist.
Make your own thread about Māori people and link it here if you may, I am interested in your heritage and so should many others. But It’s not here that such discussion should take place - if you have respect .