MY TRAVEL INFO: HAMILTON JAMIA MOSQUE, WAIKATO, N.Z

 

These photos capture a group visit to the Hamilton Jamia Mosque in the Waikato region of New Zealand on October 8, 2018.

The mosque is the primary place of worship for the Muslim community in Hamilton and is managed by the Waikato Muslim Association (WMA).

About the Hamilton Jamia Mosque

• Location: 921 Heaphy Terrace, Claudelands, Hamilton.
• Community: The mosque serves a diverse community of over 40 different nationalities, including long-term residents, international students from the University of Waikato, and refugees.
• Architecture: The building features a distinctive green roof and white walls with Islamic architectural elements, such as arched windows and a modest minaret.
• History: The Waikato Muslim Association was established in the 1970s. The current mosque site has evolved over decades from a small community center into a central hub for Islamic religious and social life in the region.
• Significance of the Photos

In the bottom photos, you can see the group standing near the designated accessible parking, with the mosque's entrance and its prominent white minaret in the background.

The date—October 2018—is particularly poignant, as it was just a few months before the mosque became a focal point for national solidarity and vigils following the Christchurch events in early 2019.

THE HISTORY OF ISLAM IN WAIKATO

The history of Islam in the Waikato region is a story of a small, pioneering group of families and students that grew into a vibrant, multicultural community.

While individual Muslims had been in New Zealand since the 19th century (mostly as gold miners or sailors), the specific community in Hamilton began to take shape much later.

1. The Early Years (1960s – 1970s)

• The Pioneers: The roots of the Hamilton Muslim community date back to the late 1960s. The community was initially formed by a small number of international students—predominantly from the Middle East and Southeast Asia—attending the University of Waikato and what was then the Waikato Technical Institute (now Wintec).
• WMA Founding: The Waikato Muslim Association (WMA) was formally established in the 1970s. At that time, it was a very small group; historical records often refer to the "original 15 founding families" who laid the groundwork for Islamic life in the region.
• Initial Spaces: Before the mosque on Heaphy Terrace was built, the community met in private homes and university halls for prayers and social gatherings.

2. The Development of the Jamia Mosque

• Purchasing the Land: In the late 1970s/early 1980s, the community secured the site at 921 Heaphy Terrace.
• A Growing Hub: As more families settled in the Waikato—including Indo-Fijian Muslims who arrived in the 1970s and 1980s—the need for a permanent mosque became urgent. The Hamilton Jamia Mosque was eventually constructed, becoming the largest in the region.
• Architectural Heritage: The mosque is known for its green roof and its white minaret, which some local historians note bears a stylistic resemblance to traditional designs found in Indonesia (specifically Jember, East Java), reflecting the diverse origins of its founders.

3. Expansion and Education

• Multicultural Growth: Following the Fiji coups (1987) and various global conflicts in the 1990s and 2000s, Hamilton saw a significant influx of Muslim refugees and professionals from Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan. Today, the mosque serves over 40 different nationalities.
• Waikato Islamic School of Education (WISE): To support the younger generation, the WMA founded WISE in 2014. This school provides integrated education and has become a vital part of the community’s infrastructure.
• Māori Translation of the Qur’an: A major milestone in Waikato’s Islamic history occurred in 2010, when a Māori-language translation of the Qur’an (Te Paipera Tapu o te Iharama) was presented to the Māori King, Tūheitia, at a marae near Hamilton. This symbolized the deep connection and respect between the Muslim community and the local Tainui iwi.

4. Recent History and Community Role

The mosque has shifted from being a purely religious space to a center for community outreach. It frequently hosts Open Days (like the one seen in your 2018 photos) to invite the wider Waikato public to learn about Islam, fostering the "compassion and mercy" that the local community prides itself on.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

29/12/2025: 11.13 a.m