South Auckland is the cultural melting pot of New Zealand. People from more than 100 nationalities, and all faiths, live side by side. Many are recent migrants.
That is why it was so surprising that the
Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club
reaffirmed at its AGM a ban on turbans and other religious headwear.
This is direct discrimination against Sikh men, who have turbans as part of their permanent dress; and against Muslim women who often, by custom, cover their heads.
It is good that the matter now seems headed to
the Human Rights Review Tribunal
for a legal ruling.
The “Cosmopolitan” Club needs to catch up with the 21st century and show a more tolerance for other cultures.