Al Noor targeted in terror threat

Members of Christchurch’s Al Noor mosque have increased their security measures following an apparent terror threat, two weeks before the first anniversary of the March 15 attack in which 51 worshippers were gunned down.

The threat was issued on Sunday night on an encrypted messaging app, accompanied by a photo of a masked man sitting in a car outside the mosque.

A police spokeswoman has confirmed an investigation into the threat is underway.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was ‘‘hard for me to believe’’ that anyone would threaten the Muslim community in such a way.

Christchurch’s Al Noor was one of two mosques targeted in a racially motivated mass-shooting on March 15 last year. The alleged terrorist, an Australian national, awaits a trial due to begin in June.

Asked if she had been briefed on the threat, Ardern said she had only seen public reporting.

‘‘I will be amongst many New Zealanders who will be devastated to see that, as we head towards the one year anniversary of a most horrific terror attack on the Muslim community, that they should then be the target of this kind of activity.’’

The threat and accompanying photo were posted anonymously to more than 2000 followers on a messaging channel on the

encrypted communication app Telegram.

The image shows a man wearing dark sunglasses and a balaclava printed with an image of a human skull. Through a car window the front of the Al Noor mosque can be seen.

In the background, four people are visible at the entrance of the mosque.

The message attached, written in both English and Russian, implies the people at the ‘‘same mosque’’ would be greeting each other for the ‘‘last time’’. A gun emoji, or symbol, is also used in the message.

The image was posted on a messaging channel dedicated to celebrating the March 15 terror attack.

Canterbury Muslim Association spokesman Tony Green said the community has increased security measures at the Al Noor mosque.

‘‘We’ve looked closely at the building itself and we’re going to increase our collective level of vigilance,’’ he said

‘‘We don’t want to give [the threat] more credence but we also don’t want to be flippant about it.’’

A police spokeswoman said police were aware of the threat and enquiries were ongoing.

Such threats to the community were taken ‘‘extremely seriously’’.

Islamic Women’s Council national co-ordinator Anjum Rahman said police were already investigating when she notified them of the threat early yesterday morning.

It would be helpful to have a visible police presence at the mosques as the anniversary of the attack approached, she said.

Security Intelligence Service director Rebecca Kitteridge last month warned that some Kiwis have been inspired by the March 15 terror attack, and monitoring such people had been difficult.

We don’t want to give [the threat] more credence but we also don’t want to be flippant about it. Tony Green Canterbury Muslim Association spokesman