This is a good thing

The Herald reports:

Egypt’s Government is sending Cairo-educated imams to “take control” of New Zealand mosques and Islamic centres in a new drive to reduce radicalisation and counter jihadism.

The imams – trained at the ancient Al-Azhar University, regarded as the foremost institution in the Islamic world for the study of Sunni theology and sharia law – will spend up to three years working alongside local mosque leaders promoting moderate Islam and tolerance.

Good. The best way of reducing the extreme versions of Islam, is promoting moderate Islam. Despite what some think, there is a huge diversity of views within Islam.

“We don’t want anything to happen here like what has happened in Belgium, Paris, Madrid or London so we are sending imams to explain Islam and to take control of Islamic centres and mosques here.”

Mr al-Wasimy said the imams were funded by the Egyptian Government and Al-Azhar, which dates back to 970 and in recent years has embarked on a global initiative to improve the image of Islam, promote tolerance, and battle radicalisation and recruitment of young Muslims by extremist groups. …

The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand said it welcomed the “extremely positive” move after checking out the authenticity of the offer.

“We decided to accept their offer, especially as Al-Azhar is a very well-known organisation promoting moderate Islam,” said federation president Hazim Arafeh.

Sounds good to me.