Al-Madinah school in Auckland was under lockdown after a threat. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
This story has been updated to include additional comment by Abdur Razzak on Midday Report.
A threatening email to an Auckland school reinforces the error of the Government's recent decisions, the Federation of Islamic Associations (FIANZ) says.
Al-Madinah School and Zayed College, both on Westney Road in Māngere, were in lockdown after being sent an email with a threatening video.
A third Auckland Islamic school, Iqra primary school in New Lynn, was not in lockdown but was on restricted access Monday after the threat to Al-Madinah.
Al-Madinah Assistant Principal Amjad Ali told RNZ a video was sent to the school's principal at 11pm on Sunday.
It featured a man showing guns in a car and randomly shooting, he said.
It wasn't filmed at the school, but police recommended going into lockdown.
Zayed College for Girls. Photo: Calvin Samuel/RNZ
Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand's (FIANZ) Abdur Razzak told Midday Report he had seen the video and it was not good.
"It's not just a normal ordinary threat. To us it's a reminder of what happened on March 15th."
He believed the video was filmed in a New Zealand location and was a deliberate threat against Muslims.
"It was quite horrific and anyone receiving it would be traumatised."
Razzak said the threat should be a "wake up call" for the government.
"We are really concerned that the way we are seeing that the coordinating minister has started to de-fund and de-prioritise some of the national security scaffolding settings which were set up after March 15th and the Royal Commission."
"I think it's a wake-up call for the government to look at the decision of the coordinating minister, and if I may add, the video as you have pointed out in your news, showed military style semi-automatic weapons.
"I think it's emboldened these would-be terrorists, because that's what I have called them, now that we have a minister [Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee] talking about reintroducing the MSSA [military style semi-automatic firearms] and loosening some of the arms acts conditions.
"I think the Prime Minister has a responsibility for our nation to look at the performance of this minister because I believe it's not a coincidence."
Associate Justice Minister McKee called FIANZ's comments "disappointing".
"I had good meetings with several Muslim groups in Christchurch on Thursday and Friday and I listened to their concerns. It's really disappointing to hear comments like this from FIANZ, whom I have also met with previously.
"I'd like to see groups like FIANZ discuss this issue responsibly, not throw around wild accusations. New Zealanders deserve better than that."
In a statement FIANZ said it was particularly concerned about the well-being and trauma of the students, staff, parents and wider community.
The threat could have been made to a church, synagogue, community centre, women's refuge, or shopping centre, the organisation said in a statement.
It reinforced their concerns about recent political decisions regarding the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the mosque terrorist attacks.
"We urge the Right Honourable Prime Minister to reconsider the decision of his Lead Coordination Minister regarding the most important recommendation of the Royal Commission: to establish a dedicated and purpose-specific national security agency.
"Threats like this demonstrate why we need to have a strategic approach for our national security."
The group also queried withdrawal from other Royal Commission recommendations, the "vitriol" around firearms reform, and the need to teach young people how to identify and counter disinformation.
Schools take caution
Al-Madinah school was advising students to stay at home and it would be in lockdown until further notice.
The state integrated area school has primary and secondary age pupils from Year 1-13.
Zayed College said on its website that it was also closed Monday as a matter of caution following the threat to Al-Madinah.
Zayed College for Girls Photo: Calvin Samuel/RNZ
It initially went into lockdown, but all staff and students had since safely left the school, commissioner Linley Myers said.
"A very big thanks to the staff involved for their calm and responsive support.
"I will update you later today on plans for tomorrow when we know more," Myers said.
Zayed College said it was the first Islamic College for girls in New Zealand, it was a state integrated special character Islamic secondary school for girls Year 7 - 13.
Police said they were notified of the email at 7.15am Monday.
They were investigating the email "of a concerning nature" sent to staff at Al Madinah School.
"Police are in attendance at Al Madinah School and enquiries are under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the email."
Iqra School. Photo: Supplied / Google Maps
Iqra School principal Leanne Chartrand said on the school's website that the school was open on Monday and was not in lockdown, but did have restricted access.
"We are on alert currently in the event of an emergency due to another school in South Auckland receiving threats.
"We have very good practises in place and the staff will be on alert to ensure our children stay safe."
Precautionary safety measures were being taken, she said.
