report+from+Canterbury

Being the first Mosque in New Zealand to see the welcome light of a new day, the Christchurch Masjid-un Nur (Mosque of Light), has attracted visitors from all over the Muslim world. There have been groups of visitors from Malaysia and Singapore. The Muslim Association of Canterbury also welcomed visitors in May, June and July, from the Christchurch community, namely; Marian College, students from Riccarton High School, Riccarton Ladies Probus, ** Canterbury & West Coast ** Cripple Children Disability, Bishopdale Combined Probus Club, St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch Citizen's Advice Bureau, Christchurch City Mayor Garry Moore and City officials. On Sunday 29 May 2005, Christchurch Police Officer, Mr. Rakesh Naidoo (Asian Peoples Community Relation Officer), visited our centre. A 40 minute presentation was given on the role of the police and information supplied on the new ethnic New Zealand police website ( [|www.police.govt.nz] ). The community also had the opportunity to have their many questions answered. || = FORMATION OF NISA = The New Zealand Sisterhood Assembly (NISA) has arranged a conference to take place at Addington School hall on ** Friday 22 –Saturday 23 July **. Yvonne Ridley will be the key note speaker at this conference with the theme ‘Unity and Understanding.’ Sister Yvonne is the British journalist captured in Afghanistan by the Taliban and who subsequently converted to Islam on her return to Britain. In addition, NISA has lined up other interesting activities, such as a concert, lectures, workshop and an art display. NISA registration Forms are available from the office or download it from MAC Website at [|**www.mac.net.nz**] There is a modest registration fee of $10 per person. Refer to the MAC website for more information and registration forms or contact the Women’s Coordinator, Sr. Jane Taylor at **salihmar@yahoo.com**. **Zoo Trip:** The Board of Directors of MAC is organising a day trip to Orana Park for the community's children aged from 4 to 15 years, on Saturday 23 July 2005. This is to help free the sisters to attend NISA’s conference. We need brothers to volunteer their time to help with this trip (One adult per 6 or 8 children). Parents must complete the application form, which is available at MAC and submit it to the management along with the fees. ||
 * ** CHRISTCHURCH MOSQUE IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION **