NZ mosques look at checks to stop terrorists

Muslim leaders are considering security checks on all new members of Islamic associations to stop terrorists infiltrating the country's mosques.

The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (Fianz) says it fears the risk of terrorist infiltration into New Zealand has increased and Muslim organisations need to be vigilant for members with "ulterior motives".

It is urging all associations to consider new screening methods after the Muslim Association of Canterbury (MAC) suggested its members should be subject to security checks.

The association mooted the idea after international mosques were shut down because of criminal activity.

"I do not want our centre closed. We are looking for ways to keep New Zealand safe," MAC president Khalifa Alhasi said.

The latest bomb attacks in Jordan and foiled terrorist plots in Australia had alerted Muslims to the need for tighter security measures.

"It's not good for us. We have our duty to show what Islam means. We have to be united and very well organised," he said.

Fianz president Javed Khan said the federation would urge all Muslim groups to follow suit.

Leaders needed to ensure radical Muslims were not allowed to teach twisted interpretations of Islam that condoned terrorist acts as retribution.

"It's unusual, but circumstances are such that we have to be vigilant," he said.

Associations would need to look at ways to conduct checks that went beyond the standard immigration screening process, Mr Khan said.

Alhasi said MAC had been exploring security options amid heightened international scrutiny of potential terrorist sources, including using embassies in New Zealand for background checks.

The head of Christchurch's Iraqi community, Mohammad Jabawe, said he would feel comforted by the knowledge that new members had a clean criminal record.

"We could not prevent them from coming (to the mosque to pray) but at least we would know they were criminals," he said.

A security check would increase people's trust in the association, he said.

However, association member Ahmed Yusuf Ali, originally from Ethiopia, said security checks interfered with people's privacy and would not be an effective way of weeding out potential troublemakers.

"If the Government said new Muslim people should go through a security check, then it would be a human rights issue," he said.

The Muslim community would expose any potential threats to public safety.

"If I feel something is not good for the public, I will not be quiet. I will take it to the police," Ali said.

Christchurch's Somali community leader and a MAC board member, Ahmed Tani, said he supported the plan to screen new members.

Criminals should be barred from becoming members, he said.

While the mosque is open to everyone, about 800 members belong to the association and can vote on board proposals.

- nzpa