Government faith initiative misaligned, say groups who declined to join

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2025

Government faith initiative misaligned, say groups who declined to join

On Tuesday July 22, a government-sponsored ‘harmony initiative’ will be signed by some Muslim and Jewish groups. The initiative originated with government recognition that the consequences of Israel’s actions in Gaza are impacting Jewish and Muslim communities in Aotearoa, as well as the wider community.

While agreeing with that statement of purpose, other Muslim and Jewish groups have chosen to decline the invitation. They believe that the council, as formulated, is misaligned with its aims.

“Gaza is not a religious issue, and this has never been a conflict between our faiths,” Dr. Abdul Monem, a co-founder of ICONZ explains. “In Gaza we see a massive violation of international law with horrifying humanitarian consequences. We place Israel’s annihilating campaign against Gaza, the complicity of states and economies at the centre of our understanding—not religion. The first action to address the suffering in Gaza and ameliorate its effects here in Aotearoa must be government action. Our government needs to comply with international courts and act on this humanitarian calamity. That does not require a new council.”

The impetus for this initiative clearly linked international events with their local impacts, but the document does not mention Gaza among the council’s priorities. Signatories are not required to acknowledge universal human rights, nor the courts which have ruled so decisively and created obligations for the New Zealand government. Social distress is disconnected from its immediate cause.

The council is therefore open to parties who do not recognise the role of international humanitarian law in Palestine, nor the full human and political rights of their fellow New Zealanders.

Marilyn Garson, co-founder of Alternative Jewish Voices elaborates, “It has broad implications to overlook our rights and international humanitarian law. As currently formulated, the council includes no direct Palestinian representation. That’s not good enough. How can there be credible discussion of Aotearoa’s ethnic safety—let alone advocacy for international action—without Palestinians?

“Law, human rights and the dignity of every person’s life are not opinions. They are human entitlements and global agreements to which Aotearoa has bound itself. No person in Aotearoa should have to enter a room—especially a council created under government auspices—knowing that their fundamental rights will not be upheld. No one should have to begin by asking for that which is theirs.”

The groups outside this new council wholeheartedly wish to live in a harmonious society, but for them it is unclear why a new council of Jews and Muslims should represent the path to harmony.

“Advocacy that comes from faith can be a powerful force. We already work with numerous interfaith community initiatives, some formed at government initiative and waiting to really find their purpose,” says Dr Muhammad Sajjad Naqvi, President of ICONZ. “Those existing channels include more of the parties needed to address local threats, including Christian nationalism like that of Destiny Church. Perhaps government should resource those rather than starting something new.”

The groups who declined to join the council have warm and enduring relationships with FIANZ and Dayenu, who will take seats at this council table. All of the groups share common goals, but not this path.

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More information about the organisations:

ICONZ is a National Umbrella Organization for Kiwi Shia Muslims for their unified voice. It is an organisation that unites all Muslims who are living in New Zealand and follow the school of the Ahlulbayt (PBUT) under ONE umbrella. ICONZ was established by Kiwi Muslims who have been born in New Zealand or born to migrants who chose New Zealand to be their home. For more, see www.iconz.org

Alternative Jewish Voices is a collective of Aotearoa Jews. It works for Jewish pluralism and anti-racism, and supports the work of Palestinians who seek liberation grounded in law and our equal human rights. For more, see www.ajv.org.nz

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Joint Statement on the Harmony Accord Initiative

As community leaders and concerned citizens, we acknowledge the intent behind the Ministry for Ethnic Communities’ Harmony Accord initiative. However, after careful consideration, we have chosen not to participate in the current framework of the Accord for the following reasons:

No Need for a Separate Council Framing Muslim-Jewish Relations
We do not see the necessity of establishing a specific council to foster peace and harmony between Muslim and Jewish communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our communities have long coexisted peacefully and framing our relationship as one in need of repair risks misrepresenting the reality on the ground.
Gaza: A Human Rights Issue, Not a Religious Conflict
The ongoing crisis in Gaza is fundamentally a matter of human rights and international law. Reducing it to a religious dispute undermines the gravity of the humanitarian situation and distracts from the urgent need for justice and accountability.
Lack of Meaningful Consultation
We are concerned that the Harmony Accord was developed without sufficient consultation with a broad and representative range of community voices. Genuine partnership requires inclusive dialogue and shared decision-making from the outset.
Call for Broader Faith-Based Inclusion
For any government initiative to truly promote religious harmony, it must be inclusive of all faith communities. A more expansive and representative approach would send a stronger message of unity—especially in light of the rising hate speech and divisive rhetoric from groups such as Destiny Church.
Acknowledging the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
We stand in solidarity with all innocent civilians affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We urge the New Zealand government to take a principled stance in support of international humanitarian law and the protection of human life.
Our Commitment to Social Cohesion and Safety
We remain steadfast in our commitment to social cohesion, interfaith understanding, and the safety and dignity of all people in Aotearoa. We will continue to work collaboratively across communities to uphold these values and ensure New Zealand remains a safe and inclusive home for everyone.