Dear Editor, Recently, there has been substantial discourse over the one and only mosque established in the Cook Islands.

This has raised a far bigger issue than any unregistered religious body operating on this island could. The issue being blatant and shameless racism and Islamophobia. Some of the quotes from these zealots include “Practice the faith of your choice in your own country” and “It’s a dangerous religion, our people must be cautious.”

Following the initial reaction, the Religious Advisory Council, as well as the Minister of Justice, have since released statements that “Three religious bodies, including the Cook Islands’ first mosque, have yet to be registered and should not be operating.” Now, I’d like you to keep in mind that the Cook Islands News published that the Religious Organizations Restrictions Act of 1975 limited the introduction of new religions to the only four authorised in the Act, unless granted approval by the Minister.

This means any religious organisation or association, whether incorporated or not, is not permitted unless said group is in association or representative of the following: Cook Islands Christian Church, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, and Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I challenge the people of the Cook Islands, namely those who hide their bigotry behind this argument: What about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baha’i, Assembly of God, and Apostolic church that have been operating and practicing for decades? What about the tens of smaller churches, including Christian faiths, that cannot associate their practices with the CICC or any other of the so-called authorised religions?

I point out this glaringly obvious flaw because this all is a total non-issue. The only issue facing our country regarding this matter does not lie in genuine concern for any persons or upholding of the law. The issue here is that people are far too ignorant and downright shameless to spew such malice at the Muslim people of the Cook Islands. They are a diverse group of Cook Islanders, East Asian, Fijian, and Indian people practicing their faith. There is no excuse for any of the vitriol they have received. They are people belonging to this island and should have the same freedom to practice their religion as I do.

I urge this self-proclaimed proud Christian nation to remember that Christ told you to love thy neighbour. And wasn’t it Jesus himself who said, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye?”

Kolina Boggs.