From July 21 to August 18, Muslims round the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. But many New Zealanders are unaware of what Ramadan actually is. To most Kiwis, Ramadan is simply a month of fasting in which Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to dusk.  The fasting is from sunrise to [...]

A crowd gathered at Auckland University last week to silently protest against the world’s “abandonment” of Syria. University students performed a silent flashmob in the quad to protest what they say has been a complete failure of United Nations international envoy Kofi Annan’s six-point plan for peace in Syria. The protest followed last Friday’s brutal [...]

Four Kiwi activists have withdrawn from an international aid convoy heading to Gaza after a decision by the convoy to detour through Syria. The Viva Palestina Arabia convoy, led by British MP George Galloway, initially planned to enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt. However, at the last minute, a decision was made to enter through [...]

The Auckland University Islamic Society called for help at a seminar at the university last week, where footage of the Syrian uprising shot by citizens on the street was shown. Syrian Solidarity spokesperson Ali Akil outlined President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime. “People are dying on the streets. They don’t have food or medicine. “Please, sign [...]

Auckland Syrians protested at Aotea Square on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary of the start of the Syrian uprising. About 150 people gathered to voice their anger at the violent crackdown by the Syrian regime, which has so far left more than 8000 dead, according to UN figures. The event was organised by the Syrian [...]

Syrians living in New Zealand are feeling anger and disappointment at the lack of action taken by the international community over the murder and mayhem taking place there. Today marks a year since initial uprisings were brutally repressed by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Auckland Syrians will mark the anniversary with a vigil in [...]

Auckland’s Syrians are accusing New Zealand of staying silent while children in their homeland are mercilessly tortured. Prime Minister John Key’s silence is particularly hurtful, they say. At a recent public meeting in Auckland, members of the Syrian community displayed pictures of the worst of the atrocities being committed by the Middle East regime and its military.

They may be 16,000km from the atrocities ripping through their homeland, but members of Auckland’s Syrian community are facebooking their country’s bloody push for democracy. The community has launched a Facebook page where it publishes photos, videos, and stories from Syrian citizens protesting the brutal regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad. “It’s heartbreaking when you can’t [...]