The Indian Weekender Friday, 23 October 2020

The Indian Weekender Friday, October 23, 2020
NEW ZEALAND 11
Man served trespassing notice by police
after suspicious activity at a mosque
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
A
44-year-old man from
Whangarei has been served
with a trespass notice by
New Zealand Police for acting
suspiciously at a mosque and Islamic
centre in central Auckland region.
The incident is said to have
occurred on Friday, October 2 under
Covid Alert Level 2 restrictions
when a man carrying a bag visited
the Islamic centre complex and input
fake name, contact and incorrect
time in the Covid tracer sheet of the
centre.
He was attended by one of the
mosque members who greeted and
asked him how he could be helped,
to which he presented a strange story
to the centre attendee.
Suspicion arose when the mosque
member noted the incorrect time of
visit mentioned on the Covid tracer
sheet.
“The individual presented
a strange story, said he was a
convert and became aggressive and
argumentative,” Abdul Latif, FIANZ
Security Director told The Indian
Weekender.
Later the same day, the man
went to a mosque on the same road
approximately half a kilometre away
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
Immigration New Zealand has
announced that the selection
of Expression of Interests for
residence class visas under the
Skilled Migrant Category for offshore
applicants have been deferred
for another six months
“The deferral of the Expression of
Interests (EOI) is a measure assists
Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
to focus on processing applications
from people in New Zealand or
eligible to travel here while border
restrictions are in place,” INZ said.
The decision to restart the selection
of EOIs will be reviewed in 2021,
Immigration New Zealand notified.
EOIs for Parent Visa has also been
Mosque Scare- CAPTION- Referencei only
from where he was attended by a
member of the Mosque and on being
spoken to, presented another strange
story.
The man visited in the afternoon
time, just after the Friday mass
congregational prayers were held.
“Again, at the mosque, the man
speaking agitatedly, and became
dismissive of any questions posed
to him or being asked his purpose of
visiting the mosque,” Mr Latif added.
Due to his suspicious behaviour
at the mosque, he was asked what
he was carrying in his bag, which he
Selection of EOIs for residence class
visas delayed by another six months
put off for six months
The expression of interest for
residence class visas under parent
category also stands extended
for six months as per the latest
announcement by Immigration New
Zealand.
The government, earlier in April
during the first wave of Covid-19
and Alert Level 4 lockdown in New
Zealand had suspended a number
of visa programmes that included
selection for EOIs in the SMC and
Parent Category.
It was then said to be a temporary
measure taken under special
circumstances of Covid-19 outbreak
in the country and was supposed to
be reassessed by INZ as the situation
developed.
refused to answer or get checked by
the mosque member.
The attendee was soon approached
by two other members of the Mosque
greeting him in Arabic ‘Assalam
Alaikum’ that translates to ‘peace
be upon you’ to which the visitor
became further enraged and started
arguing on the greeting saying the
mosque members are trying to get rid
of him.
The man hastily left the premises
and police were called to the mosque.
Upon narrating the whole incident
to the police, both at the Islamic
Indian PM Narendra Modi congratulates
Jacinda Ardern on her landslide election victory
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has congratulated New
Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern on her landslide election
victory last night.
PM Modi in a tweet this afternoon
recalled meeting PM Ardern in New
York last year and extended his
compliments for her victory.
“My heartiest congratulations to
the PM of New Zealand Jacinda
Ardern on her resounding victory.
“Recall our last meet a year ago
and look forward to working together
for taking India-NZ relationship to a
higher level,” PM Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on
Saturday won a landslide victory in
Centre and the Mosque- police were
able to identify the man, questioned
his purpose of visit at the mosque and
served a trespass notice from visiting
the premises in the future.
“Police has identified and located
the man who visited the mosque. He
has subsequently been trespassed
from the premises.
“We thank the member of our
community who brought this to
police’s attention. We encourage
anyone who witnesses suspicious
activity to report this to police,” a
police spokesperson investigating the
incident told The Indian Weekender.
FIANZ Security Director Abdul
Lateef said it is important for
members of the community to stay
vigilant and report any suspicious
activities around mosques or
religious places.
“My advisory was designed to
ensure vigilance on arrival and
departing the Masjid, questioning
anyone whom people are unfamiliar
with (before they get inside the
Masjid) and about calling 111 if there
is a serious concern,” Abdul Lateef
said.
Mr Lateef further added that two
days prior to the Auckland event,
an individual was seen at the same
mosque car park trying car windows
the general elections securing her a
second term in office.
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern
said the next government would be
and mosque authorities were alerted,
but the person was able to evade
before being apprehended.
He added that it is not sure if the
two incidents were related, but the
community members have to remain
alert and report any suspicious
activities in or around mosques.
Mr Lateef also said that there had
been a few mental health-related
incidents at some mosques around
New Zealand.
A person was apprehended and
handed over to the police from a
mosque in Manawatu earlier last
month as he visited the centre and
created an aggravated situation
amongst mosque members and
visitors.
He was later found to have mental
health issues and had checked
himself out from a psychiatric ward
of a hospital in the region. He was
handed to the police for his and
public safety.
Since this incident has happened,
FIANZ through its Security Advisory
wing has conveyed a message across
all mosques and Islamic centres
through different mediums to remain
alert of any suspicious activities
or visits by unknown persons at
mosques or mosque premises in New
Zealand.
formed within the next few weeks,
and with 64 seats, Labour will be the
first party able to govern alone since
MMP was introduced in 1996.
Slow down, buckle up, and plan ahead for a safe Labour Day weekend
IWK BUREAU
New Zealand Police and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport
Agency are asking Kiwis to plan ahead, slow down, and
buckle up for a safe 2020 Labour Day long weekend.
“Many roads around the country are likely to be very busy
before and during the long weekend, and we’re anticipating
high volumes of traffic on many state highways and local roads.
Congestion and some delays are inevitable in peak times, but
if everyone leaves plenty of time for their journey, drives to the
conditions and plans ahead before leaving home, the worst of
the frustrations can be eased and everyone can concentrate on
arriving safely at their destination,” says Greg Lazzaro, Waka
Kotahi General Manager Safety, Health and Environment.
NZ Police Acting Superintendent Gini Welch says buckling
up and driving at a safe speed are two ‘must-dos’ for safe
holiday journeys.
“The biggest life saver you have in your vehicle is your right
foot. That foot controls your speed and your braking.
Just like physics teaches us, the faster you’re going, the
greater the impact. So less speed, means less harm,” says
Acting Superintendent Welch.
“The next biggest life saver you have is your seatbelt.
If something goes wrong, that belt could save your life.
“This is our first long weekend since June, and with travel
restricted to our own backyard there will be more traffic on our
roads. More traffic means more risk, just by sheer volume.
So it’s even more important to remember the safety basics
like wear your seatbelt and drive to the conditions.
“You don’t need to drive right up to the speed limit.
If the road is wet or windy, slow down.
And if you’re in traffic, it’s just as important to watch your
speed and your following distance from the car in front.
You need to give yourself space to react if something goes
wrong up ahead.”
Greg Lazzaro says travel may be more spread out across the
country this year with holiday makers taking the opportunity
to have a longer break either side of Labour Day weekend and
exploring different regions to normal.
“Leaving at non-peak hours can make travel safer, less
stressful and more enjoyable. You can plan ahead for a safe,
enjoyable Labour Day weekend with the help of our on-line
holiday journeys map.”
The holiday journeys map shows predicted traffic flow across
popular journeys over the Labour Day weekend on popular
holiday travel routes based on previous years travel patterns.
Because predicted peak times can change based on incidents,
weather and even driver behaviour, check our real time Journey
Planner for latest traffic and travel information before you head
off. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Journey Planner is
a great tool to help you plan your trip with real time travel
information, traffic cameras, and updates on delays, roadworks
and road closures just before you head off.