Mauao Man

Islam: What It Really Teaches — And What It Means for New Zealand

Introduction: Ideas, Not Individuals

This conversation is about ideas, not individuals.

Let’s start with something crucial: this post is not about attacking people. It’s not about blaming immigrants, stirring fear, or promoting intolerance. It’s about examining an ideology — Islam — and asking an honest question: How does it fit into a secular, free-thinking society like New Zealand?

We can respect people without shielding ideologies from criticism. In fact, that’s a core part of democracy: the freedom to question worldviews, especially those that make political or legal claims over society.

What Is Islam, Really?

Islam is not just a religion of personal belief. It is a complete system — legal, political, social, and spiritual. It began in 7th-century Arabia, where Muhammad claimed to receive revelations from God (Allah). Those revelations became the Quran, the foundational text of Islam. Alongside the Quran, the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad) and Islamic law (Sharia) outline rules for how Muslims should live — covering everything from personal morality to criminal punishment.

Spiritual Teachings: Prayer, charity, fasting, belief in one God (Allah).
Social Rules: Gender roles, marriage laws, modesty requirements.
Legal Codes: Criminal penalties (stoning for adultery, amputation for theft), inheritance laws, and rules for warfare.
Political System: The concept of an Islamic state, ruled by Sharia, with non-Muslims living under different legal status (dhimmi).

Some of these teachings are admirable: charity, community, prayer. But others raise serious concerns: harsh punishments, inequality between men and women, religious supremacy, and severe penalties for apostasy or blasphemy.

These are not fringe interpretations. They come from Islam’s core texts and are widely supported in traditional schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

This critique is not about Muslims as people. Many Muslims reject or reinterpret these teachings. But if we are serious about human rights and secular democracy, we must examine any ideology — especially one that makes universal claims.

Islam in New Zealand: A Quiet but Steady Growth

Islam is New Zealand’s fastest-growing religion, with over 57,000 Muslims recorded in the 2018 census — nearly double the number from 2001. Most are immigrants from South Asia, the Middle East, or Africa, though there are also local converts.

Community Presence: There are mosques, Islamic schools, halal certification agencies, and national bodies like FIANZ (Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand) that guide religious and community matters.
Diverse Practices: Some Muslims are liberal and secular, while others hold to strict interpretations of Islamic law.
A Question of Alignment: How well do the teachings promoted in these institutions align with New Zealand’s secular values?

The Christchurch Attacks: Sympathy, Silence, and Honest Questions

Following the horrific Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, New Zealand came together in solidarity with the Muslim community. Vigils were held, flowers were laid, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s compassionate response became a global symbol of empathy.

But sympathy for a community should never silence honest questions about an ideology. And that’s exactly what happened. Since the attacks, open discussions about Islam have become more difficult. Criticism of the ideology is too often mislabeled as “Islamophobia,” shutting down necessary conversations.

If we are serious about free speech, human rights, and critical thinking, we cannot shield any ideology from examination — especially one that makes political and legal claims.

Islamic Beliefs vs. Secular Values: A Clash or Coexistence?

Islam makes specific claims about how society should be governed — claims that often conflict with the principles of a free, secular society:

Freedom of Religion: Islam teaches that apostasy (leaving the faith) is punishable by death (Sahih Bukhari 6922).
Freedom of Speech: Criticism of Muhammad or Islam is considered blasphemy, a crime punishable by death in some Muslim-majority countries.
Gender Equality: Sharia law assigns women half the inheritance of men (Quran 4:11), and their testimony is worth half that of a man (Quran 2:282).
Religious Supremacy: Non-Muslims (dhimmis) may live under Muslim rule but must pay a special tax (jizya) and accept a second-class status (Quran 9:29).

These teachings are not just medieval relics. They are part of classical Sharia law, taught in traditional Islamic schools and enforced in some Muslim-majority countries today.

Cultural Integration or Parallel Societies?

Some Islamic communities in New Zealand tend to remain socially and ideologically separate. This is not a matter of race or ethnicity — it is a matter of ideology:

Islamic Schools: Some Islamic schools in New Zealand teach doctrine rooted in Sharia, including traditional gender roles and religious exclusivity.
Mosques and Sermons: Some mosques may promote conservative or even extremist ideas, though this is not always visible to the public.
Halal Certification: Often assumed to be about food safety, halal certification is actually a religious requirement — reflecting religious law over public commerce.

If Christian fundamentalists were pushing for their religious law to influence public policy, we would push back. So why not ask the same questions when it comes to Islamic law?

This is not xenophobia. It is ideological vigilance. New Zealand’s democracy must remain transparent and accountable, no matter the religion or belief system.

Tolerance vs. Blindness: Knowing the Difference

Tolerance is a strength — but only when paired with critical thinking. Islam is not above scrutiny just because some followers are a minority. In fact, shielding it from open examination does a disservice to everyone — including Muslims who want reform.

Respecting People: We should protect Muslims from hate or violence.
Questioning Ideologies: We should never protect any ideology from honest, critical examination.
Free Speech Matters: Silencing criticism is not tolerance. It is intellectual dishonesty.

Conclusion: Honest Conversations or Quiet Surrender?

If we value free speech, human rights, and clear thinking, we must be willing to question any ideology — including Islam. Not because we want to attack Muslims, but because we want to defend the values that make New Zealand a free and open society.

This is not about fear. It’s not about hate. It’s about courage — the courage to look at powerful ideas honestly and critically. We can welcome Muslims as neighbors without accepting Sharia as law. We can respect people without surrendering our principles.

New Zealand’s strength is its openness, its freedom, and its commitment to clear thinking. Let’s keep it that way.

Islam’s Many Faces: Why One Faith Can Look So Different Around the World
Two Faces of Islam: Peace in the West, Power in the East
How the Average Kiwi Sees Islam: Sympathy, Skepticism, and the Search for Truth

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.

Mauao Man

Friday, May 9, 2025