If hate mail against Wellington Muslim families was meant to create racial fear and division, it backfired, Somali community leader Adam Awad says.
A 53-year-old Upper Hutt man was charged yesterday with criminal harassment after a series of hate mail was sent to mainly Somali people in Miramar between July and October.
"We're really pleased with the work the police have done," Mr Awad said. "But also with the New Zealand public who sent to us so many letters that they reject this kind of letter."
Up to 100 letters, e-mails and cards of support were sent after The Dominion Post broke the story of the hate mail.
"It's not the Kiwi way. We belong here and we respect different views, but that kind of action is not acceptable and is ignorant. That does not fit with the New Zealand public as we have seen it."
Some of the hate mail contained pork and references to Islamic-Jewish clashes.
Wellington Regional Jewish Council chairman David Zwartz said that, rather than create tension, it brought the two communities "closer together".
Wellington police district crime manager Detective Inspector Harry Quinn said there was no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved and there were no links with recent cases of Jewish grave desecrations in Wellington. He hoped the arrest would encourage more letter recipients to come forward – police suspected at least 12 more letters had been sent.
Mr Quinn said the arrest followed community information and police investigations, including the use of fingerprint and document analysis experts.
Criminal harassment carries a maximum two-year jail sentence.
Judge Barry Lovegrove granted the man interim name suppression when he appeared in Upper Hutt District Court yesterday. He will reappear in Wellington District Court on November 26. Police consented to bail with conditions, including that he must not contact members of the Muslim faith.
By MAGGIE TAIT and RICHARD TROW
© Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2004