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Former NRL and New Zealand All Blacks rugby star Sonny Bill Williams has led a fundraiser for a new mosque in Auckland just months after the latest attack against Muslims in the country’s capital.
Williams was a special guest at the Hillsborough Masjid’s fundraising night, which aims to establish a new mosque at a property overlooking Manukau Harbour.
The mosque will provide a spiritual and community hub for Muslims in the region.
According to the mosque’s website, eight New Zealanders convert to Islam daily. The new centre is designed to be a supportive environment for them.
Williams shared his support for the project, posting, ‘Awesome turn out for our newest Masjid in Hillsborough, Auckland.
‘The ummah [community] of NZ represents all the colours of the world mashallah.’
Williams travelled to Auckland to help raise money for a new mosque to be opened in NZ
Hillsborough Masjid, the organisation behind the mosque, say that eight New Zealanders are converting to Islam every day
Williams and Hillsborough Masjid want the new mosque to be a hub for the NZ Muslim community
The fundraiser followed an arson attack at Imam Reza Islamic Mosque in Auckland’s New Lynn in November 2024.
An intruder set the fire, which burned for eight hours before being discovered.
The attack caused extensive damage and deeply impacted the local Muslim community.
This incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing concerns over safety for New Zealand’s Muslim community, as the country is still recovering from the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, which claimed 51 lives.
Williams has been a prominent advocate for mosque developments. In 2023, he was involved in the construction of a $5million mosque in Carlton, Sydney.
However, the project faced opposition from some local residents.
A video published by Daily Mail Australia showed Williams in a heated exchange with a neighbour.
During the confrontation, Williams appeared to say, ‘go to China’ while responding to the resident’s objections.
Williams had a long footy career in the NRL and with the All Blacks in rugby, winning premierships and World Cups
The incident highlighted tensions in the area regarding the mosque’s approval and potential impact on traffic and noise levels.
Residents near the Carlton mosque have reported ongoing concerns.
Some claim they have faced intimidation, including firecrackers being thrown into their yards and verbal abuse.
Others have expressed worries about property values declining due to the project.
There is no suggestion that Williams is involved in any of the alleged harassment.
Williams, along with fellow athlete Anthony Mundine, personally donated $200,000 to the Carlton mosque project.
In response to opposition, Williams previously branded critics of the development as ‘racist.’
Beyond his involvement in mosque projects, Williams has been active in the Muslim community globally.
In February 2024, he took part in Faith Events’ educational series in Malaysia, delivering talks titled ‘A Step Nearer to God’ and ‘A Mile in My Shoes.’ Shaykh Wael Ibrahim moderated these sessions.
On November 1, 2024, Williams was appointed pro-chancellor of Albukhary International University in Malaysia, a position he described as a ‘proud privilege.’
In 2018, he performed the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and visited Medina. His commitment to faith has been evident in both his public and private life.
Williams has also engaged in philanthropic efforts. In 2020, he donated his jersey sponsorship to the Australian mental fitness charity Gotcha4Life, along with a personal contribution of $10,000.
Additionally, he has used his social media platforms to share messages during significant Islamic occasions, including Ramadan.
