Former NRL and All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is spearheading a fundraising campaign for a new mosque in Auckland, just months after a recent attack against Muslims in New Zealand.
The effort comes as the country continues to recover from the 2019 Christchurch terror attack, which claimed 51 lives, and an arson attack on a mosque in November 2024, Daily Mail reported.
“Awesome turn out for our newest Masjid in Hillsborough, Auckland. The ummah of Nz represents all the colours of the world mashallah,” Williams wrote on X.
Williams was a special guest at a fundraising night hosted by the Hillsborough Masjid, which aims to establish a new mosque on a property overlooking Manukau Harbour.
The mosque will serve as a spiritual and community hub for Muslims in the region, supporting a growing community. According to the mosque’s website, eight New Zealanders convert to Islam every day, and the new center is designed to provide a welcoming environment for them.
Williams expressed his support for the project, sharing on social media: “Awesome turnout for our newest Masjid in Hillsborough, Auckland. The ummah [community] of NZ represents all the colors of the world mashallah.
Safety Concerns
The fundraiser followed an arson attack at Imam Reza Islamic Mosque in Auckland’s New Lynn. An intruder set the fire, which burned for eight hours before being discovered.
The attack caused significant damage and left the local Muslim community deeply affected. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about safety for Muslims in New Zealand, still reeling from the trauma of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks.
Williams, a long-time advocate for mosque development, has previously been involved in significant mosque projects. In 2023, he played a key role in the construction of a $5 million mosque in Carlton, Sydney.
However, the project faced opposition from some local residents, leading to a heated confrontation between Williams and a neighbour, captured on video. During the exchange, Williams was recorded responding to objections by telling the neighbour to “go to China.”
The controversy in Carlton highlighted local tensions over the mosque’s approval, with concerns about noise and traffic. Some residents claimed to have experienced intimidation, including firecrackers thrown into their yards and verbal abuse.
Others worried about property values declining due to the development. There is no suggestion that Williams was involved in the alleged harassment.
Williams, along with fellow athlete Anthony Mundine, personally donated $200,000 to the Carlton mosque project. In response to the opposition, Williams described critics of the mosque as “racist.”
Beyond his mosque involvement, Williams has been active in the global Muslim community. In February 2024, he participated in Faith Events’ educational series in Malaysia, delivering talks on spiritual growth.
Later that year, he was appointed pro-chancellor of Albukhary International University in Malaysia, a role he described as a “proud privilege.”
Williams has also engaged in charitable work, including donating his jersey sponsorship to the Australian mental fitness charity Gotcha4Life in 2020, along with a personal contribution of $10,000.
He has consistently used his social media platforms to share messages during key Islamic occasions, such as Ramadan, further demonstrating his commitment to both his faith and his community.
SOURCE: https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/australia/former-all-blacks-star-sonny-bill-williams-leads-efforts-to-build-new-mosque-in-auckland/
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