New Zealand Rugby will almost certainly comply with alacrity. Historical knowledge of the Crusades is virtually non-existent among non-Muslims today; few people in New Zealand or anywhere else now remembers why sports teams were called “Crusaders” in the first place. No one remembers that the Crusades were tardy, small-scale defensive actions after 450 years of Islamic jihad that had conquered and Islamized what had been half of Christendom, as is documented meticulously in The History of Jihad From Muhammad to ISIS. And in New Zealand especially, any historical or present-day opposition to jihad is being demonized as leading to mosque shootings, and is being shut down accordingly. That the jihad will nevertheless advance there has not yet occurred to New Zealanders. By the time it does, it will likely be too late.
“Crusaders name, swords and horses have got to go, says Muslim advocate,” Stuff, April 4, 2019 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
A Muslim community advocate says the Crusaders name and its branding need to go, and quickly.
On Wednesday the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby announced they would this season seek feedback on the Crusaders name, giving two options.
One was to remove the sword-wielding horsemen that has been part of pre-match entertainment, the second was to change the branding, as well as the Crusaders name that has been with the team since 1996.
Changing the imagery only would be an insult and defeat the purpose altogether, advocate Guled Mire told Radio New Zealand.
“By keeping the name in itself, which is actually quite distasteful, that’s not a viable option so I’m disappointed that’s being considered because for me that defeats the whole purpose.”
Mire said the name change debate should have happened a few weeks ago.
Since the March 15 mosque attacks in Christchurch there has been discussion around the Crusaders name.
The Crusades were a series of religious and political wars between Christians and Muslims fought in the 11th and 13th centuries.
Mire said the fact NZR and the Crusaders were talking about the name change was a step in the right direction, but it was important for all communities to be consulted, and not just the Muslim community.
“I think given the historical context of the name itself in terms of the Crusaders and the Crusades that had happened and what has happened in Christchurch, I think we need to revisit that and anything that really marginalises Muslim communities or any other religious or ethnic groups, it needs to be addressed,” he told Radio NZ..
Mire is a speaker, activist and writer who is passionate about advancing the social well-being of New Zealand’s ethnic and former refugee communities.
He was born in Somalia and resettled in New Zealand with his family when he was six years old. He now works in central government policy….