Peace Week launch event

We are pleased to announce the launch of Peace Week 2026.

Peace Week is a heartfelt initiative dedicated to honouring the lives lost in the tragic 15 March 2019 Christchurch Mosque attacks. Through acts of love, service and charity, we aim to spread peace and foster a deeper understanding of different cultures, ethnicities and faiths.

The theme for this year’s Peace Week is Empowering Youth Through Holistic Wellbeing.

In our current global environment of anxiety, stress, inward and outward turmoil, many look at statements such as “bring your whole self to study, work, etc”, or other ‘wellbeing’ statements as a way of coping. This year, we look at how to empower young people through a holistic lens.

In Islamic tradition, the concept of holistic wellbeing is often tied to the term Fitrah (natural disposition) and the balance between the heart, mind, body and soul in the following key areas:

• Aql (Intellect): Seeking knowledge as a religious duty.

• Ruh (Spirit): Finding inner peace through mindfulness and prayer.

• Jism (Body): Maintaining physical health to serve others.

• Nafs (Self): Developing discipline and emotional regulation.

• Qalb (Heart): Purifying the heart

Dr Abdallah Rothman, a prominent figure in Islamic psychology, emphasises a holistic approach rather than treating symptoms in isolation. He advocates for a model rooted in spiritual alignment and self-reflection, where wellness is viewed as a continuous process of purification and balance rather than a final destination.

There is also ‘Te Whare Tapa Wha’. This holistic health model was developed by leading Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie in 1984, and describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls. These walls represent taha wairua/spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro/mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana/physical wellbeing and taha whānau/family and social wellbeing. The relationship with the whenua/land serves as the fundamental basis. A person thrives when these factors are balanced, but wellbeing suffers if any are not.

The launch of Peace Week on Monday, 23 March, will include a presentation and Q&A session with the following distinguished speakers about the importance of holistic wellbeing as key aspects of empowering young people:

Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly is a Christian minister currently co-leading a Presbyterian church in Ahuriri/Napier with her husband. She was University Chaplain at Waipapa Taumata Rau and most recently Glasgow, Scotland, where she led a large inter-faith team and worked closely with Muslim and other student societies. In both settings she has led University responses to conflicts and traumatic events impacting the community. Carolyn has three adult children working in advocacy, justice and the arts, and two grandchildren.

Associate Professor Mohi Rua (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakaue), Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland

Dr Mohi Rua is a registered psychologist and Associate Professor in Te Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori and Pacific Studies) at Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland (Aotearoa). With over 25 years of experience, his work is grounded in Kaupapa Māori approaches and a commitment to addressing Māori health inequities. His research and teaching centre on Māori health and wellbeing, drawing on mātauranga Māori (Māori epistemologies) and Kaupapa Māori theory and methodology. Dr Rua’s interests span Māori men’s health, identity and masculinities, poverty and homelessness, Māori and sport, and the social determinants of Indigenous health. He is also recognised for his expertise in qualitative and kaupapa Māori research methods. Dr Rua leads and contributes to large-scale Indigenous research projects that are values-based, with a strong focus on whānau wellbeing and relational ethics. His work is underpinned by decolonial practice and a commitment to Indigenous-led change.

Please stay afterwards for kai and conversation with the speakers and fellow guests.

The event is a collaboration between the Muslim Chaplain, the Maclaurin Chaplaincy, the Muslim Student Association, and the Muslim Staff Network.

Time: 6:15 pm arrival for a 6:30 pm start

Location: Lecture Theatre 260-092, OGGB, City Campus

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