‘This is New Zealand’s Muslim way of doing things’ – Kiwi Muslims respond to massacre with kindness, not anger

By: Isaac Davison
Faced with unimaginable death and suffering, New Zealand Muslims have responded with warmth and generosity.
That positive response comes partly from Islamic teachings, religious experts say. It is also because of a determination to fit in to New Zealand life and communities.
The aftermath of the unprecedented massacre has been marked by the near-absence of anger within the local Muslim community. There have been some frustrated voices – most noticeably from the Islamic Women’s Council, who said they had warned again and again of the growing potential for racist attacks on New Zealand soil. But the overwhelming reaction from Muslims has been one of shock, closely followed by humanity and thoughtfulness.
New Zealanders around the country have reported random acts of kindness since Friday – an extra scoop of chips at the takeaways, a discounted taxi ride, a hug from a stranger. “This is New Zealand’s Muslim way of doing things,” said Eva Nisa, from Victoria University’s Religious Studies department. “The majority of Muslims in New Zealand are very moderate, very peaceful. And the way Muslim leaders in general try to comfort other Muslims is a role model for other countries.
She added: “The very foundation of Islam is that notion of peace – we don’t do retaliation.” Muslims were guided in grief by their faith. “In Islamic tradition, when something bad happens, we need to strengthen each other, to visit people who have been hurt, to be at their side,” said Nis
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