Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/89194716/Muslim-offers-himself-up-for-dates-to-those-who-have-never-meet-a-follower-of-Islam

‘Love for all, hate for none’: New Plymouth man offers himself up for dates to those who have never met a follower of Islam

Tashriq Hanif from Fitzroy, New Plymouth, is breaking down misconceptions about Muslims living in New Zealand. This Muslim man in New Plymouth is offering himself for “meet a Muslim” dates to counter what he sees as a growing fear about the religion.

Tashriq Hanif decided to make the offer to push back against a growing Islamophobia and American president Donald Trump’s move to “protect” his country from terrorism by imposing a temporary ban on people entering USA if they come from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

“(It’s getting) a message out there to let people know we are here to be in a country like New Zealand that’s a very peaceful country. Let’s understand each other’s cultures, why don’t I become your friend.

Tashriq Hanif, holding a copy of the Quran translated into Maori, has offered to meet with people to show them what being a Muslim is about, in the wake of Donald Trump’s Muslim ban.

Let’s sit together, let’s understand each other. It doesn’t have to be religion, just open-friendship type of conversation,” the client manager at Spark said.