December 2014
Media release

Scarves will fly in show of solidarity for Auckland’s Muslim community

Aucklanders will come together tomorrow in support of Muslim women, following the siege held in Sydney by an alleged Islamic extremist. ‘Flying Scarves’, encourages women to don a headscarf for the day, demonstrating that the actions of a few will not shape the perceptions of the many members of the Muslim community living in Auckland, as we take a stand of solidarity.

On December 15, a gunman held members of the public hostage in a Sydney café. The siege continued for sixteen hours, and with two hostages confirmed dead, concern for members of the wider Muslim community is growing.

Auckland social change group Splice are initiating Flying Scarves, and will be in Aotea Square from 8am - 10am, then moving to Freyberg Place from 10am onwards on Friday 19th December, showing women how to wear headscarves. Commonly wearing hijabs (headscarves) or burqas (full veils covering both the body and the face), Muslim women in traditional dress are very easily identified, and therefore vulnerable to public abuse.

The Sydney siege being somewhat close to home has sparked concern that ‘Islamophobic backlash’ would follow in New Zealand, with women most likely to be affected. Splice founder John MacDonald says “We want to stand in solidarity with women who may be feeling vulnerable following the incident in Sydney. New Zealand is a very diverse society and we want to demonstrate and encourage that we can live together without division or separation.”

Ghadair Alshemari is prominent in Auckland’s Muslim community, teaching Arabic and learnings from the Koran to young people, and will be participating in Flying Scarves tomorrow. “It’s about inclusivity, Muslim women are like anyone else, only we wear headscarves,” she says. “Come down and get involved, and help us overcome judgment and spread a message of solidarity.”

Flying Scarves follows the social media storm caused by the siege, with thousands of Australians taking to social media to show their support for the Muslim community. Particularly encouraging is the use of the hashtag #Illridewithyou, whereby members of the public are offering to accompany or provide transport for Muslims who don’t feel safe out in public.

Splice, in partnership with social change groups Lifewise, the Airdale Property Trust and the Methodist Mission, facilitate community development in Auckland’s city centre, with the goal of transforming the central city into a ‘village’ where residents and visitors alike feel safe and connected.

With a focus on inclusiveness and diversity, Splice works to encourage kindness and acceptance, and works with people from a very wide range of demographics. “We want to reinforce that even though we all have different backgrounds, beliefs and practices, we do stand together on community issues,” says John. “We will not be separated by religion or politics. We will support each other and do so publically, encouraging others to do the same.”

To get involved in Flying Scarves and show your support for the Muslim community, head to Aotea Square between 8am - 10am or Freyberg Place from 10am onwards, on Friday 19th December.

There’ll be headscarves and tutorials available, and women are encouraged to upload photos of themselves wearing the headscarves, accompanied by the hashtag #Illridewithyou. Badges with the hashtag #Illridewithyou will be available, for men wanting to get involved. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Illridewithyou-Auckland/843138665751172

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