[Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint that was published on February 17, 2005; and The Final Call will continue to reprint articles by our late and dear Mother Tynnetta Muhammad.]
“Almighty (God)! By the glorious Qur’an! Nay they wonder that a warner has come to them from among themselves; so the disbelievers say: This is a wonderful thing! When we die and become dust—that is a far return. We know indeed what the earth diminishes of them and with Us is a book that preserves. Nay, they reject the Truth when it comes to them, so they are in a state of confusion.”—Holy Qur’an, Surah 50, verses 1-5
Far across the Pacific Ocean, in the country of New Zealand or Aotearoa, (meaning land of the long white cloud), as it is called by the Indigenous Maori people, it is already one day ahead of America, as we pass through the international dateline on the other side of the world. The population of New Zealand is estimated at 4,000,000, which includes approximately 800,000 Maoris. I arrived here at the onset of New Zealand’s major National Day Observance centered on the signing of the controversial Treaty of Waitangi.
This treaty came into existence 165 years ago in 1840 as proposed by the British Crown to the Maori Chieftains who signed it. Two versions or interpretations of its contents exist. An English version and the other, that of the Maori people. It was intended to secure the rights of the Maoris as owners of the land, preserving their sovereignty.
During my first visit to New Zealand, nearly 15 years ago, my son, Rasul Muhammad, accompanied me to this beautifully landscaped and scenic place at the time of this same eventful commemorative event. We were exposed, for the first time, to the political struggles of the Maori people, still dominated by the British Crown and the remains of a languishing colonial culture.
This pattern of governance and rule by the former colonial powers and members of the dominant White race is repeated among all nations and peoples who have been subject to their rule.
Now, Mother Earth bewails her children and is reacting to the cruelties of her reign of terror. High sea waters with giant 30 to 50 feet waves are arising from the ocean’s depth with a fury seldom seen, wielding a path of destruction that is devastating coastal zones and populations one after another around our Planet.
Within a few short days of my arrival to New Zealand, it was reported that rather turbulent waters were skirting around the Hawaiian Islands, perhaps giving rise to new lava flows spewing from Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island at Hilo.
Islands, Australia and New Zealand. He is pictured here standing with members of the Aboriginal
community of Sidney, Australia, displaying their flag. Photo: Kenneth Muhammad
While preparing this article for publication, the Cook Islands braced itself for the fiery temperament of Cyclone Ameena and its aftermath of destructive flood waters.
Severe climatic changes are rebounding on several continents, seemingly all at once, bringing record-breaking freezing temperatures while lowering normally hot climates to cooler rainy and windy conditions.
All of these reactions of Mother Nature are coming at a time of great political upheavals with warring nations set in battle array.
Are these not the signs of the end of an Age and the end of a World at Hand? We are truly in the time of a Universal Change!
“And the trumpet is blown. That is the day of threatening. And every soul comes, with it a driver and a witness. Thou wast indeed heedless of this, but now We have removed from thee thy veil, so thy sight is sharp this day.” —Holy Qur’an, Surah 50, verses 20-22
To be continued.
