Al Noor Mosque Imam Gamal Fouda attends the coronial inquiry into the 2019 Christchurch massacre in Christchurch on October 24, 2023. – AFP file
New Zealand police are looking into an arson incident at an Auckland mosque that occurred early Tuesday. The fire smoldered for eight hours before being noticed, prompting a call to emergency services. This incident comes in the wake of the 2019 Christchurch massacre, where 51 people were killed in the country's worst mass shooting. The attack targeted Muslims during Friday prayers in Christchurch and was livestreamed on Facebook by Brenton Tarrant.
Closed-circuit television footage shows someone breaking into the Imam Reza Mosque in New Lynn just before 1am (1200 GMT) and setting a fire deliberately, according to the police. The police are still exploring possible motives and have not yet determined if this is a hate-related crime.
The mosque authorities expressed shock and horror on social media about Tuesday's attack. They emphasized their unity and resilience, stating that their mosque is not just a physical structure but a beacon of light, a place of worship, and a symbol of hope.
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