New Zealand painted often as a tolerant and open society where different ethnic groups live with each other in agreement. A democratic and generous voice in a västvärld which is swept by the populist message. And compared with many other countries in the world, the picture is true, especially in comparison with neighbouring Australia’s significantly more turned up anti-islamic rhetoric and policies.

But it is not the whole truth. During the last few years has islamofobin and xenophobia has grown stronger in New Zealand, especially in the context of islamist terrorist attacks, such as those in Paris or London.

New Zealand has been a very safe place, but with all the negative rhetoric in the media and from several of the world’s leaders, we have seen a change. Every time there is an islamist attack, as we don’t have anything to do with, so our children harassed, ” says Aliya Danzeisen.

Aliya Danzeisen, coordinator of the muslim league in New Zealand Photo: Tina Zenou

and the coordinator of the muslim league. According to her, 80 per cent of young female muslims felt that they were discriminated against in school.

But compared with the rest of the world, society has been safe for all minorities. New Zealand has been pointed out as one of the best countries of the west for muslims to move to.

“of Course, people who don’t like the fact that we can be both faithful muslims, included in a democratic, transparent society and live in security, to try to destroy it for us,” says Aliya Danzeisen.

agree with. She is New Zealändsk tv journalist and in Christchurch in order to monitor the terrorist attacks.

– the Church may, of course, the maximum impact when it is directed against a so safe country like ours. Then, the message is that you are not safe anywhere, ” she says.

Melissa Chan-Green, the tv reporter in Christchurch New Zealand Photo: Tina Zenou

She worried also for the increasing hatpropagandan against certain groups and when the situation calmed down, she believes that the country must answer the question: How could we let hatpropagandan go so far?

, professor of sociology at Massey university in Auckland, has extreme right-wing groups and the white power movement existed in New Zealand long. In an article on the academic news site The Conversation” he writes: ”During the 1980s, I examined 70 local groups that fell within the category of extreme. Most were found in Christchurch. Skinheads, neo-nazis and extremnationalister.”

He points out that with the internet in the 1990s and eventually social media, it is not difficult to find hate speech online against the muslims – even in New Zealand. Since the terrorist attacks on 11 september 2001, anti-semitism, in some cases, been replaced by islamophobia and the atmosphere intensified. Yet the politicians have so far not been overcome with the issue.

within the muslim league has Aliya Danzeisen for the last ten years worked with representatives from both the incumbent and the previous government to combat discrimination and racism against muslims. She wants to emphasize that the government’s and society’s response to Friday’s terrorist attack has been fantastic. But in the past, very little has been done.

” We have argued and written submissions, advised and asked for help but we have not received any. Nothing has been done and here we are now today. Now bury those who we tried to protect. Most people in our union would agree that it is not good enough, ” she says.

Anwar Ghani is a phd in chemistry, now a businessman and was very active in the New Zealand Islamic federation. During the five years he was its president. He notes that the tone changed and that the politicians have not done anything about the situation. But he now believes that they will be forced to deal with the issue.

Anwar Ghani Photo: Tina Zenou

“Right now, we need to take care of our bereaved members, but further on, it will absolutely be time to sit down and take up these issues,” he says.

to the muslim population continues to show the world a good model of integration and how they contribute positively to humanity.

” This is a turning point. We must be a forgiving and determined people. We owe it to them last Friday they paid the ultimate price for freedom, ” he says.