New Zealand Muslims still at risk of being targets for violence

The Islamic Women's Council has told a coronial hearing into the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks that Muslims are still in danger of being targeted by terrorists in New Zealand.

51 Muslims were murdered in the Christchurch terror attacks on 15 March 2019. The inquiry was opened to address any unanswered questions following the criminal investigation and prosecution process and the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

The Islamic Women's Council has asked Coroner Brigitte Windley to examine the role of radicalisation on digital platforms as part of the inquiry, given that the Australian gunman who carried out the attacks immersed himself in far-right content online.

It is the view of the Islamic Women's Council, as shared with the inquiry, that innocent lives could have been saved if authorities had delved into the virtual life of the terrorist.

Aliya Danzeisen, national coordinator of the council, told the colonial hearing that Muslims are still in danger of being targeted by terrorists in New Zealand. She cited how the council’s leadership had been threatened with poisoning, rape and being killed since the massacre.