New Zealand gang vows to stand guard outside mosque after shootings

A leader of the Mongrel Mob, one of the largest gangs in New Zealand, vowed to stand guard at a local mosque after a terror attack targeting two mosques in the country left 50 people dead last week.

Sonny Fatu, the president of the Mongrel Mob in Waikato, told New Zealand news outlet Stuff.co.nz that he and his fellow members have committed to standing guard outside the Jamia Masjid Mosque in Hamilton during the mosque’s prayers on Friday.

Fatu, who reportedly leads the largest chapter of the Mongrel Mob in New Zealand, told the publication that his group promises peaceful support following the terror that took place a week ago Friday. 

{mosads}”We will not be armed. We are peacefully securing the inner gated perimeter, with other community members, to allow them to feel at ease,” Fatu said.

“We will support and assist our Muslim brothers and sisters for however long they need us.”

“We were contacted by a representative who tagged me in and said some of our Muslim brothers and sisters have fears for Friday during their prayer, and the question was posed whether we could be a part of the safety net for them to allow them to pray in peace without fear,” he continued.

“Of course we would do that, there was no question about that, and we will be dressed appropriately,” he continued.

Asad Mohsin, the president of the local Waikato Muslim Association, said he appreciates the gang’s show of support. 

“We would welcome them to come into the mosque and pray with us. They are a part of us as we are a part of them,” Mohsin said.

“Islam is inclusive, free of judgement — we don’t see gang members, we see them. We value them as humans and we appreciate that they value us, too,” he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Mongrel Mob was among several rival street gangs in New Zealand that gathered outside the Al Noor mosque, which was where the majority of victims were slain by a gunman during their Friday prayers last week, to commemorate lives lost in the attack, according to Reuters.