By Chris Barclay
Imam Hisham El Zeing and his followers are using spades and shovels to shift liquefaction - and the perception of Christchurch's Muslim community.
The spiritual leader of the earthquake-ravaged city's 3000 Muslims joined forces with the non-denominational "student army" today as the massive clean-up operation continued.
Mr El Zeing and about a dozen student volunteers left the Al-Nur mosque opposite Hagley Park this morning to break up mounds of silt, and hopefully break down barriers.
The mosque - New Zealand's first - is tolerated but with Islam often associated with extremism and terrorism the city's Muslim community is often viewed with suspicion.
Mr El Zeing said Muslims had offered assistance to neighbours on Deans Ave immediately after the February 22 quake and had seen a continuation of their relief effort as a means of gaining greater acceptance.
"We went to the neighbours and offered help. They offered us help - we are all helping each other," Mr El Zeing said.
"They could see us as Muslims and as people who cared from them. We hope we can change their perceptions about us."
He had also been busy trying to convince Muslims to remain in the devastated city, going to Auckland at the weekend in a bid to convince some families who had fled north to return.
"I am trying to convince them not to leave Christchurch," he said.
"It's a sign of weak faith, actually, unless you have little kids and you fear for them.
"We believe this (earthquake) is because of our sins, so the first thing you do is change yourself and stay. It is meant to be this way for a reason, we hope people learn from this."
His trip to Auckland was only moderately successful: "Some have left Christchurch, sadly enough.
"The youngsters want to stay but the elders are the ones urging them to leave. Some have been convinced to stay but in this situation it is not easy," he said.
About 400 Muslims whose properties were damaged by the 6.3 magnitude quake sheltered in the mosque hours after it struck; about 40 people were still staying overnight, including Mr El Zeing.
The mosque, which was being extended, was not damaged in either the February 22 quake or the city's first major quake last September 4.
Aware the city's places of worship had been massively affected by the earthquakes - especially ChristChurch Cathedral and its Catholic equivalent - Mr El Zeing took little solace from his mosque emerging intact.
"We're happy we're safe and we're sorry for them. We don't want to see damage for anyone," he said, adding the Muslim community were mourning the loss of two doctors killed inside the CTV building.
A student from Saudi Arabia is also missing, presumed dead.
NZPAsource: newshub archive
