Council of Christians and Muslims

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, CookIsland, Niue and Tokelauan.

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni

Specifically I greet you: Co-Presidents of the Council of Christians and Muslims, Bruce Keeley, Gul Zaman, Sister Catherine, and you The Members of the Council and those of like mind.

Thank you for inviting Susan and myself to this meeting of the Council of Christians and Muslims.

As is the tradition when speaking on a Marae, I would first like to state my turangawaewae as it relates to this setting.

I am Catholic and Susan is Lenihan.  I am also a New Zealander of Fiji-Indian descent.  My wife's people hail from Australia and before that to England, Ireland and France.  Thus, my family's heritage is connected to many countries with significant Muslim and Hindu populations, Susan's with countries of Christian and secular backgrounds.

Like many other New Zealand children, ours have been raised with a combination of religious influence.

Our household has always been one welcoming people of different religious background, such as Jewish, Hindu, Bahai and Muslim.

Our friendships with people of many faiths, aligns us with the cause that binds the Council of Christians and Muslims.

Your raison d'etre strikes a chord with me.

Your objective is to encourage dialogue and understanding between people of Christian and Muslim faiths. This is a worthy objective, particularly given New Zealand's evolving national identity.  Unless there is peace between religions there won't be peace in the world.

Where once New Zealand might have called itself a Christian society, we are now multi-faith.

Certainly Christianity is still the predominant religion in New Zealand. However, we are increasingly influenced by faiths from many parts of the world.

The Muslim faith is among our most significant, and fastest growing, non-Christian religions. It reflects that many New Zealanders today have heritage that is linked with predominantly Muslim countries.

The Muslim community is exceptionally diverse and includes different branches of Islamic faith, hailing from around the globe. It includes Muslims who are second or third generation New Zealanders, as well as Muslims who have come to New Zealand in their own lifetime.

Whereas other countries may have been challenged by the changes brought about by new religions, I would argue that New Zealand's record of faith integration is largely successful.

This is particularly clear at a time during which Muslims have faced growing prejudice and discrimination around the world.

Organisations such as the Council of Christians and Muslims have helped New Zealand stand out as an open and inclusive country for Muslims, Christians and followers of many faiths.

You place people above religious difference.

You recognise that by increasing understanding between different faiths, people can be free to enjoy whatever religion they choose.

The following Maori saying made famous by a politician of the last century Apirana Ngata, illustrates the importance of people:

Hutia te rito o te harakeke
Kei hea te komako e ko
Ki mai ki ahau
He aha te mea nui o te ao
Maku e ki atu
He tangata he tangata he tangata

If the centre of the flax is pulled out, there will be no place for the bellbird to sing. If I were asked what is the most important thing in the world, I will answer it is people, it is people, it is people.

The direct beneficiaries of your work are certainly people of both Christian and Muslim faiths. However, New Zealand as a whole also benefits from your efforts.

By promoting greater understanding between Christian and Muslim faiths, your Council is helping New Zealand improve its relations with the international community.

Healthy inter-faith relations in New Zealand lead, by extension, to healthy relations with countries of any faith. This has clear benefit for our small country.

I will say that the Council of Christians and Muslims is achieving its objectives. On the whole, interfaith relations are characterised by tolerance, understanding and peace.

I will not say, however, that your job is done. As our country continues to change, so do the pressures on our religious interactions.

I express the hope that you will continue to rise to the challenge. You will continue to play a vital role in opening channels between Christian and Muslim people - as well as between people of other faiths.

I register thanks for your hard work in this - and congratulate you on reaching this important ten-year milestone.  Christians, Muslims and Jews share the same Abrahamic faith.  If we establish peace between the world religions, then we might have peace in the world.  Surely a goal worth aiming for.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.