(NZ Herald) Azeem Zafarullah claims to be a “proud Kiwi Muslim,” but when he makes an Islamic greeting, other Muslims would shun him rather than return the greeting.
The problem for Azeem, 32, is that he is an Ahmadi, a minority sect of Islam that most mainstream Muslims don’t regard to be Muslims.
AUT University Professor Edwina Pio is currently undertaking a study to better understand the obstacles and challenges faced here by members of the community here in New Zealand.
Many had faced or witnessed persecution and bloody violence in their home countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Indonesia prior to moving here.
In 2006 when Azeem was just a teenager, his Ahmadiyya imam (religious leader) was intercepted, brutally bashed and beheaded on his way to morning prayer.
