There is little chance calls for a jihad against supporters of US airstrikes against Afghanistan will be heeded by New Zealand Muslims, a spokesperson for the community said today.
The Taleban Ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, has warned that any country involved in the US attacks on Afghanistan, would be subject to a holy war, or jihad.
But Abdullah Drury, from the Federation of Islamic Associations, told Radio New Zealand this afternoon he thought it unlikely New Zealand would be targeted.
New Zealand today increased its contribution to the US-led strikes in Afghanistan offering medics, engineers and Hercules transport aircraft in addition to the Special Air Service (SAS) troops which were offered within days of the September 11 attacks.
Mr Drury told RNZ their biggest concern was that there would be a backlash against Muslims who lived peacefully in New Zealand.
His other concern was that terrorist organisations had sent so-called sleepers many years ago to infiltrate the local community, the report said.
Jihad will not come to NZ, says Muslim leader
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