Reverting to Islam and disdaining a life of violence, a former Kiwi gang member has been denied boarding by New Zealand airport security, getting his passport cancelled over “security risks” allegations.
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“I’ve left violent gang life for a life of peace,” Wiremu Curtis, the New Zealander Muslim revert who is known as “Haroon”, told TVNZ’s Sunday program on July 13.
Looking for peace, the young New Zealander has embraced Islam to start a new life away from gangs and violence in the south-pacific island.
Despite of leaving a gang life of violence, Haroon’s reversion to Islam made him an easy target for NZ Security Intelligence Service (SIS), which considered him as a new “threat” for security of the commonwealth country.
Last May, the Kiwi Muslim was stopped and investigated at the airport while heading to Middle East for studying.
“They brought in some SIS agent and they just started interrogating me. They said, we’re taking your passport away from you, you will not be flying today,” Haroon said.
Meanwhile, Haroon found that the SIS has infiltrated group of Muslims that he was a part of.
“I believe they’ve taken my passport away maybe because of the people I hang around with,” he said.
The new Muslim revert said that he was inspired by Imam Sheikh Abdulla Hamam who leads prayer in a West Auckland garage.
“He actually interacts with more youth than any other Imam, when he talks about the Qur’an and stories of the prophet it can almost make you cry,” Haroon said.
Despite his empathy for Sunni Muslims in several places across the world, Haroon has no intentions of joining the fight abroad.
“In those countries you can actually see what’s happening and still people say it’s not right to fight for them, you’re a terrorist if you do,” Haroon said.
“I reckon it’s wrong, but myself I wouldn’t go and fight.
“I’m not a terrorist at all, I’m not a terrorist.”
Muslims make about 1.1% of New Zealand’s 4.5 million population, while Christians represent 44%, according to CIA factbook. /SR
