By Talaia Mika, Cook Islands News
Masjid Fatimah Rarotonga’s prayer room, inside the mosque. Photo: Cook Islands News
The spokesperson for the Rarotongan Muslim community has weighed in on the ongoing religious debate following the establishment of the new Christian movement and its plans to challenge the Cook Islands government.
The newly-formed Cook Islands Christian Movement intends to challenge the government on the Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023, and also to lobby the government to declare the Cook Islands a Christian country.
The movement intends to challenge the legality of the Crimes Amendment Act 2023, which decriminalised homosexuality, by filing a petition to parliament and make submissions to the select committee who will examine the Religious Organisations Restrictions Act 1975.
The select committee to examine the Religious Organisations Restrictions Act 1975 was established in December 2024 following debate in parliament revolving around the establishment of the country's first mosque and three pending applications from religious bodies seeking registration in the Cook Islands.
In a letter to the editor, Rarotonga Muslim community spokesperson Tatiana Kautai said: "Since the article published in the Cook Islands News on the 14th November 2024 regarding the first Mosque in Rarotonga, and following all subsequent newspaper articles, Letters to the Editor, opinion pieces, online comments, RAC comments, the removal of the Mosque pin on Google maps, Parliament's formation of a 'special select committee' etc, I have remained silent."
"The recent article, 'New Christian movement plans to challenge govt' was the straw that broke the camel's back. Now I have to speak up not just for myself but for my fellow Muslims on the island who do not feel they can."
Kautai questioned the "love and compassion" of the Movement, alluding to comments from the organisation's interim vice president, Pastor Clerk Turua, who said their purpose was "to unite believers and serve the community with love and compassion".
"Interim secretary of CICM, William Framhein, says that he has no issues with Muslims practicing in their own home, 'it's their fundamental human right', but he draws the line at having a communal place of worship, or as he calls it 'a place where a group of them can get together. That's a problem', Kautai said.
"Mr Framhein states they are a movement made up of individuals who have a relationship with Jesus. Does Mr Framhein know Muslims also have a relationship with Jesus, and that Jesus is one of the most revered Prophets and Messengers in Islam, and that we also believe he will return to Earth to fulfil his prophethood?"
According to Framhein, the Movement's core priority is to stand and fight for Jesus, and no one else.
While he acknowledged that some of the comments by Kautai referencing what they said were true, she also mistook some of his comments about their faith while also disputing that they worship Jesus as God.
"The CICM challenge on Government referenced by Tatiana was related to an event that took place in Parliament in April 2023 and not what Tatiana says for herself and her fellow Muslims on the island who do not feel they can," Framhein stated.
"She has the wrong end of the stick. She is correct to repeat what I said that I have no issues with Muslims practicing their faith in their own home, the constitution provides for that but in my view the constitution does not go far enough to allow the establishment of a church or Mosque."
Framhein disagreed with Kautai that Muslims have a relationship with Jesus saying, "Muslims regard Jesus as a Prophets and Messenger in the Islamic faith."
"Jesus is not a Prophet, He is, the Messiah, Our Saviour, and Our Redeemer, He died on the cross for us. He took the beatings, the agony, and our sins to the cross," he added.
"Today, Jesus is very much alive, but Muhammad is still dead, in his grave. Whilst Islam is a monotheistic faith, Muslims strive to lead a life in accordance with Islamic principles, but they also rely on Allah's mercy for salvation."
Framhein then extended an open invitation for Kautai and her fellow Muslims to attend their Avarua CICC Church in town.
Kautai urged everyone to focus on what unites them instead of what divides them.
