Man arrested for abusing NZ mosque goers

New Zealand police have made an arrest after a man wearing a “Trump” shirt hurled abuse at worshippers gathering outside one of the Christchurch mosques struck in a terror attack. Police say a 33-year-old has been taken into custody after insults were shouted at those meeting on Wednesday outside the Al Noor mosque, where the […]

New Zealand police have made an arrest after a man wearing a “Trump” shirt hurled abuse at worshippers gathering outside one of the Christchurch mosques struck in a terror attack.

Police say a 33-year-old has been taken into custody after insults were shouted at those meeting on Wednesday outside the Al Noor mosque, where the first gunfire began and 41 people died on March 15. He’ll appear in court on Friday (today).

“The community is understandably shaken by this behaviour,” Superintendent John Price said.

The abuser was described as Caucasian and wearing a black t-shirt with the word “Trump” on the back and police earlier issued a photo to the public in hopes of finding him.

With rifle-carrying officers still stationed outside mosques around New Zealand, questions have also been raised by the Muslim community about why the man was not stopped by officers at the time of the incident.

“Two armed officers were outside the mosque at the time. We are reviewing our response to this incident,” Price said.

The Al Noor mosque and the Linwood mosque – the second site targeted in the shooting – have both since been handed back to the community for regular use.

“Our community has no tolerance for those who target or victimise others because of their identity … This is especially so for members of our Muslim community who are already dealing with so much,” Price said.