Dairy farmer and Southland Muslim Association head Reza Abdul-Jabbar. Photo: NZ HeraldAbdul-Jabbar is not your typical Southland dairy farmer. "Whereas in a lot of [Islamic] centres, the Imams are trained scholars, I'm more of a Massey-taught Imam," grins the bike-mad designated leader of the Southland Muslim Association's mosque – the southernmost in the world. The Southland Muslim Association accepted the remorseful Invercargill passenger's subsequent apology and invited him to the mosque to broaden his mind on the religion. Since then, Abdul-Jabbar has worked closely with both security agencies and police, and welcomes people inside the mosque anytime.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 31, 2017 22:30 UTC