KEY POINTS:
News one of Osama bin Laden's sons plans to seek political asylum in New Zealand has sparked a mixed reaction from nzherald.co.nz readers.
Omar bin Laden, 28, has been living with his wife Zaina Alsabah bin Laden in Egypt. She told nzherald.co.nz yesterday the couple was not safe in the Middle East because of Mr bin Laden's pacifist views.
When asked if she could understand if some New Zealanders would feel uncomfortable having Omar bin Laden living in New Zealand, Mrs bin Laden said: "Omar is not his father".
"People have more intelligence than to judge him by his father."
Readers of nzherald.co.nz's Your Views section had mixed opinion.
While one writer, calling themselves Rainbow Morris, said: "Roll out the welcome mat", others like the writer calling themselves honest kiwi said: "Absolutely no way".
A writer calling themselves John Doe from the Hibiscus Coast asked "Why not?"
"He's not the bad guy, his father is. It is totally unjust to say that the child of a bank robber or murderer or terrorist is going to be a bad guy too."
Kingi from Dunedin North agreed: "He is not his father. You cannot choose your family, and we should not punish him for his father's crimes."
Rob from Victoria had an interesting Australian take on the issue: "I find it quite funny that this man is being judged by his father's actions. The whole of Australia was convicts, however the sons and daughters of these convicts are allowed to come into NZ and Work!
"I say get rid of all the Auzzies as well."
Vinkredible from Manurewa said: "Hmmmm. I couldn't care less if he came over and was living next door. Sounds like an ok guy who's being harassed for holding pacifist views in the midst of Arab/Middle-Eastern countries, where extremism is all the rage."
But not everyone agreed. Mark from Auckland said he would not be happy.
"He could be the model citizen but look, it's the trouble potential he brings with him whether he likes it or not. NZ will get a reputation as a place for international terrorist cuzzies."
Anna from Henderson said: "We have enough undesirables here as it is, without putting down the welcome mat to the likes of him. Haven't people heard the old saying: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree?"
Jason from Auckland said "no way".
"I thought that in cases of asylum, the 'victim' was supposed to be offered it in the first country outside the country they were leaving, not travel the world with a shopping list of places they would like to move to."
- NZHERALD STAFF
