Finlayson and Brown meet with Islamic Foundation

Shadow Attorney General Chris Finlayson and MP for Pakuranga Simeon Brown today visited the Islamic Ahlulbayt Foundation of New Zealand at their mosque in Pakuranga to express their concerns about a recent public show of support for the terrorist organisation Hezbollah.

“The Islamic Ahlulbayt Foundation of New Zealand last month staged a protest in Aotea Square where they openly showed their support for Hezbollah, a terrorist organisation responsible for countless atrocities in the Middle East,” says Mr Finlayson.

“Along with local MP Simeon Brown I spoke today with leaders of the Foundation based in Pakuranga and made it clear that this divisive attitude is not welcome here.

“Hezbollah is synonymous with extremism, misery and terrorism, and it is troubling to see support for such an organisation being openly expressed in New Zealand,” Mr Finlayson says.

“Last month’s protest follows a hate-filled speech that was given by a visiting Iranian diplomat last year which was organised and publicised by the Foundation. The speech included a denial of the Holocaust and called for the destruction of Israel,” says Mr Brown.

“I was approached by several concerned constituents who pointed out that language of this type aimed in the other direction would not be tolerated and it shouldn’t be.

“New Zealand prides itself on its diversity and open-minded attitude, and we cannot allow anti-semitism or support for terror groups to seep its way unchallenged into our society.

“I was glad we had the opportunity to express that directly with the Foundation, and hope in future they’ll condemn those who spread hate and commit acts of terror in the name of their religion.”

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