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November 22, 2005
New Zealand: Muslim Leaders Consider "Screening" Members
A report from Stuff states that the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) has announced that the threat of extreme Islamist infiltration into New Zealand is greater than ever. The Federation has advised that all Muslim organisations should be on the lookout for members with "ulterior motives".
The Federation suggests following the lead of the Muslim Association of Canterbury (MAC), which has suggested its members should be subjected to security checks. MAC proposed the notion in the light of international mosques being closed down due to criminal activity. MAC president, Khalifa Alhasi said "I do not want our centre closed. We are looking for ways to keep New Zealand safe."
President of FIANZ, Javed Khan said it would urge all Muslim groups to do the same. "It's unusual, but circumstances are such that we have to be vigilant."
Mohammad Jabwe, head of the Iraqi community in Christchurch, said he would feel better if he knew members had a clean criminal record, and having security checks would increase people's trust in the group.
One FIANZ member, Ahmed Yusuf Ali, from Ethiopia, said security checks would intrude on privacy and would not weed out trouble makers.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 22, 2005 5:27 PM
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