JEDDAH: Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa met New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington on Tuesday for talks on dialogue, peaceful coexistence and cooperation between nations.
“I was pleased this evening to meet with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in the capital, Wellington, where we had a fruitful discussion on the importance of dialogue, peaceful coexistence in diverse societies, and building bridges of understanding and cooperation between nations,” Al-Issa wrote on his official X account on July 21.
“In this context, I commended New Zealand society for its strong national unity, social cohesion and cultural openness, while once again reaffirming appreciation for its unified stance — across all segments of society — in the wake of the horrific terrorist tragedy at Al-Noor Mosque in Christchurch.”
The meeting, described by the Muslim World League as the first of its kind between the New Zealand prime minister and a religious figure, addressed ways to promote harmonious coexistence in diverse societies.
The two sides also discussed building bridges of understanding and cooperation between nations to counter hatred, polarization, exclusion and narratives of a clash of civilizations.
Luxon said following the meeting: “A pleasure to meet with Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa this evening. New Zealand is proud to be a country where people of all faiths can live and worship freely and safely. Our Muslim communities are an important part of that story.”
As part of his visit, Al-Issa was also received by New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House in Wellington.
During the meeting, they discussed issues relating to religious, ethnic and cultural diversity.
Al-Issa, who also chairs the Organization of Muslim Scholars, visited Al-Noor Mosque in Christchurch on Monday and met survivors of the March 15, 2019, terrorist attack and families of the victims.
Al-Noor Mosque was one of two Islamic places of worship, along with the nearby Linwood Islamic Center, targeted by a gunman during Friday prayers. The attacks killed 51 people.
During the visit, Al-Issa reaffirmed the league’s commitment to combating hateful ideologies worldwide and promoting tolerance, coexistence and social cohesion.
Mosque officials briefed him on the need for reconstruction work following a significant increase in the number of worshipers, as well as plans for a lecture and dialogue hall.
Al-Issa pledged that the Muslim World League would help meet the requirements once the necessary legal procedures had been completed.
The visit formed part of a wider tour of New Zealand that included meetings with government officials, Muslim organizations, religious leaders and community representatives.
On Sunday, Al-Issa inspected the first phase of an Islamic center under development in Auckland and took part in planting an “Olive Tree of Peace” at the site.
He also visited Jamia Masjid Al-Mustafa, described by the Muslim World League as New Zealand’s largest mosque, where he met officials from the South Auckland Muslim Association and students enrolled in a Qur’an memorization program.
Al-Issa also met senior representatives of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand and the country’s Ulema Council.
On Friday, he inaugurated Al-Rahman Mosque in Auckland, delivered its first Friday sermon and led worshipers in prayer.
