Attitudes towards Muslims in New Zealand - presentation by Dr. Usman Afsali

Below are notes taken at a presentation late last week on the attitudes of Kiwis on Muslims. I usually keep these as 'notes to self' rather than posting them. However, over the weekend, I read this news report on the government's response to the Terror Attack (March 15th 2019 - where 51 Muslims were killed in the mosque in Christchurch, NZ) Royal Commission recommendations. 8 of the 44 recommendations would be 'dropped' and all the rest would be re-assigned to various other agencies. The meeting itself was short and to a small audience, with the invitation to the meeting delivered at short notice. In all, poor public relations and although, the moves were pragmatic, the lack of regard for all the people affected is not what is expected of a country, working towards being inclusive (sigh). 

Notes below:

Attended a presentation by Dr. Usman Afzal from the University of Canterbury. Presented on findings from longitudinal study on attitudes in NZ to non-mainstream groups. In the presentation, the focus was on New Zealanders' perceptions and attitudes toward Muslims.   

The NZAVS - NZ attitudes and values survey - has been going for 15 years and is planned to go on for 20. A postal questionnaire to 48,000 participants selected from the electoral rolls. The survey has 'content blocks', some changing after 3 -4 years. Covers a range of social issues including environmental, political, immigration, life satisfaction, self-esteem, perceived discrimination, patriotism, nationalism etc. etc.

Articles usually published open access, provide evidence base for advice to government and considered to be a well-regarded research.

Provided the rationale for including studying the attitude toward Muslims by NZers, especially after the 2019 Mosque shootings. In NZ, nationalism has not risen over the last decade but there is a substantial prejudice against Muslims. 

In NZ, the is ethnic and nationality diversity amongst Muslims. 25% are born in NZ with Muslims coming from across the world. Projected increase in Muslims to become the main religious group by 2070. 

Therefore important that democracies educate people to have greater acceptance of diversity. 

Muslims in NZ, hold stronger religious dogma beliefs when compared to other religions. From other surveys, if the majority are more accepting, there can be a change in acceptance of minority religions. However, in NZ, the reverse seems to take place :( True Nzers defined as being Pakeha/Maori, able to speak English, has NZ citizenship and following NZ laws and policies. Pakeha.Maori and English speakers still did not consider Muslims to be considered as full NZers.

After the mosque shootings, the warmth towards Muslims increased and this effect has been maintained. 

Discussed the considerations of the Muslim sample in the NZAVS (n=70). An increase in the sample size will help so a 'new' study has begun - the Muslim Diversity Study (MDS) (n=3000 across 6 NZ sites but presently only 500 collected). Survey began last year and will run for 3 years. Focus on finding out about wellbeing, resilience, diversity, perceived discrimination and similarities or differences between Muslims on these with other religions. Detailed the various initiatives undertaken to connect with the Muslim communities across NZ to obtain their participation. Building trusts of the Muslim community to outside institutions is important to encourage participation (which is now eroded even more by the events summarised in the first paragraph)..