'Befriend a Muslim' e-mail the height of intolerance
"I know I'm not the most politically correct person you're ever likely to meet. However, the intolerance of others makes me ... er ... intolerant
"For some reason, I've had three people forward me an e-mail newsletter for what is, it claims, some kind of Christian prayer group. Sounds pretty inoffensive so far, right? You'd be wrong. It kicks off with a question: 'Is Islam in NZ a cause for concern or a God-given opportunity?'
"From there, it requests that you not share the newsletter with any of your Muslim friends then goes on to offer details on the number of Muslims in New Zealand, their ethnic origins, where the mosques are and throws in a few quite inflammatory quotes and statements, just for good measure, such as this bold little statement: 'Some say there is a terrorist cell attached to every mosque. What is happening in NZ mosques?' Nice."
Jillian Allison-Aitken in the Southland Times, 27 September 2007
Martin Sullivan