DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF Mongrel Mob Waikato president Sonny Fatu with Hanad Ibrahim from Jamia Masjid Mosque in Hamilton.
The head of the Waikato Muslim Association said he hopes gang members will join Muslims for Friday prayers after the Mongrel Mob pledged to guard Hamilton’s mosque.
Waikato Mongrel Mob president Sonny Fatu has committed to guarding Jamia Masjid Mosque in Hamilton during Jummah (Friday prayers).
Asad Mohsin said he hopes members will join them inside the mosque for Jummah.
New Zealanders of all stripes have come out in support of their local Muslim communities since the terror attacks on Friday which left 50 dead and 50 injured. A 28-year-old Australian man has been charged.
Fatu, who leads the largest Mongrel Mob chapter in New Zealand, promised peaceful support after the atrocities that played out on Friday.
The Waikato mob aren’t the only gang that have been moved to support their local Muslim community. The King Cobra gang as well as the Black Power and other Mongrel Mob chapters had also shown their support, and a Mongrel Mob chapter in Australia was patrolling a mosque in Sydney.
“We will support and assist our Muslim brothers and sisters for however long they need us,” Fatu said.
“We were contacted by a representative who tagged me in and said some of our Muslim brothers and sisters have fears for Friday during their prayer, and the question was posed whether we could be apart of the safety net for them to allow them to pray in peace without fear.
“Of course we would do that, there was no question about that and we will be dressed appropriately.
“We will not be armed. We are peacefully securing the inner gated perimeter, with other community members, to allow them to feel at ease.”
Moshin said he was appreciated the mob’s gesture of support.
“We would welcome them to come into the mosque and pray with us. They are a part of us as we are a part of them.
“Islam is inclusive, free of judgement – we don’t see gang members, we see them. We value them as humans and we appreciate that they value us too.”
Fatu said it was a time to unite, adding that Islam was often misrepresented.
“Our differences are the glue that hold us so tightly together. We must now focus not on where we have been, but where we are going. Let us repair the holes in our waka and restrategise the rest of our journey.
“A Karanga as been sent out, vibrating across the universe, conjuring all leadership to come forward and unite our people.”
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