Teething issues with new security measures at mosque in Invercargill

Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Some members of the Southland Muslim Association prayed outside the mosque in Invercargill on Monday because they say they no longer have access inside.

New security measures introduced after the Christchurch terrorist attacks has caused disagreements and disruptions between Southland Muslim Association members.

On Monday, some members did their Zuhr prayers outside the Invercargill mosque, saying they had been denied access inside in the recent weeks.

Invercargill Islamic centre (mosque) imam Reza Abdul-Jabbar said after the Christchurch terrorist attacks, the Department of Internal Affairs wanted to ensure mosques across New Zealand have better security measures.

The project was named Safer Communities.

Due to the new security measures members had to re-register to get access to new keys for entrance, Abdul-Jabbar said.

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There were 50 keys available for grabs, on a first come first serve basis and the rest would have to be bought for $30.

Members had not been denied access, he said.

SMA members Hafswa Hemed, Sulina Sahib and Shamshad Akhtar, who ended up praying outside the mosque on Monday, said all they wanted was access to pray inside.

Hemed and Aktar have questioned why they have to re-register and pay when they have already done that in the past.

“There has been no transparency,” Aktar said.

Abdul-Jabbar acknowledged the mosque had had some disagreements over leadership, but a document was sent to all SMA members, announcing the new security measures.

One of the internal disputes seems to focus on which committee is in charge at the mosque.

Mohammed Talib Anwar has said he was elected as the new president of SMA last year.

“They cancelled my access [key] and they haven’t given me any legitimate explanation,” Talib said.

However, imam Abdul-Jabbar said Anwar was not the president.

Federation of Islamic Associations New Zealand (FIANZ) president Ibrar Sheikh said the federation was aware of leadership issues and had offered to help but it was a SMA internal matter to resolve.

“We are talking to the community and the leaders there at the moment. It definitely needs to be resolved one way or the other, if they can do it themselves they may and if not and an external input is required we’re happy to do that,” Sheikh said.

FIANZ security director Abdul Lateef Smith, who is also the Safer Communities project manager, said basic security measures were sent mosques across New Zealand.

It was for organisations to improve their current safety because the way a mosque works anyone could come in and out.

Smith said mosque leaders could request to be part of the Safer Communities project, and he would provide more information.

As Muslims pray five times a day, under the new regulations the mosque has been open for SMA and non-SMA members to pray inside at those times, Abdul-Jabbar said.