Ahmed Bhamji is a Fiji Indian businessman and National Federation Party politician.
Ahmed Bhamji | |
|---|---|
| Member of House of Representatives (Fiji) North Eastern National Constituency | |
| In office 1987–1987 | |
| Preceded by | Ishwari Bajpai |
| Succeeded by | none |
| Minister for Communications, Transport and Works (Fiji) | |
| In office 1987–1987 | |
| Mayor of Ba | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | National Federation Party |
| Spouse | Maimuna Bhamji |
| Residence(s) | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Profession | Businessman |
Career
editAt 32 he became the youngest mayor in the country when he was elected the mayor of Ba.[1] In the 1987 general election for the House of Representatives, he won the North Eastern National Constituency for the National Federation Party - Fiji Labour Party coalition, defeating the sitting Alliance Party candidate by 12,786 votes to 9,946.[2] He became Minister for Communications, Transport and Works in the month-long Bavadra government.[3]
Following the 1987 Fijian coups d'état, he immigrated to New Zealand,[4] and now lives in Auckland New Zealand.[5] As of March 2019 he is the chairman of Mt Roskill Masjid E Umar; the largest mosque in New Zealand.[6]
At an Auckland rally organised by "Love Aotearoa Hate Racism", a video emerged of Bhamji accusing Mossad, the intelligence agency of Israel, for the Christchurch massacre of Muslims. Bhamji offered no proof for his speculation.[7][8] The New Zealand Human Rights Commission commented on the matter, saying that "Prejudice against Jewish people has no place in New Zealand" and "We must condemn racism, hate and anti-Semitism whenever we see it".[9] Mustafa Farouk, president of Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, released a statement saying "recent comments by an individual do not represent the views of the Muslims of New Zealand".[10][11]
References
edit- ^ Fiji: Race and Politics in an Island State, UBC Press, Michael C. Howard, page 377
- ^ Candidates and Voting by Seat for the 1987 Election
- ^ Achievements of FLP
- ^ Review - International Commission of Jurists, Issues 40-47, 1988, page 12
- ^ "Former Fiji resident under fire for blaming Israel in massacre". FBC News. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ Mossad behind Christchurch attacks, head of New Zealand’s biggest mosque claims, JTA, 27 March 2019
- ^ Palmer, Scott (26 March 2019). "Jews outraged after mosque leader blames Mossad for Christchurch attack". Newshub. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ NEW ZEALAND STOKES ANTISEMITISM IN AFTERMATH OF MOSQUE MASSACRE, JPost, SETH J. FRANTZMAN, 27 March 2019
- ^ Human Rights Commission calls out Muslim leader who blamed Mossad for Christchurch attack, Newshub, 27 March 2019
- ^ New Zealand Muslim Leader Dismisses Colleague’s Claims That Mossad Ordered Mosque Killings, Haaretz, 29 March 2019
- ^ NZ Islamic organization refutes Bhamji’s comments, FBC News, Ana Ravulo, 30 March 2019