Hindu temples around New Zealand targeted with intimidating letters

Police were called after Hindu temples began receiving poison pen letters last week. File photo / Tania Whyte

Intimidating anonymous letters have been sent to Hindu temples around the country, warning them that “idolatry is worse than carnage”.

“Islam teaches that God does not share His divine attributes with anyone”, the letters continue, among several passages quoted from the Quran, Islam’s holy book.

The letters began arriving last week, and police were immediately contacted, Multicultural New Zealand national office head of operations Gurtej Singh said.

Multicultural New Zealand organised a meeting yesterday for Hindu and Muslim community leaders from around the country to talk about the incident. Police also attended.

Indian community leader Sunny Kaushal said someone had forwarded him a copy of the letter, saying it’d been sent to temples all over Auckland.

He was shocked because different religious communities, including Hindus and Muslims as well as Christians and Sikhs, had good relations, said Kaushal, who is Hindu.

“We share our festivals, our good times, and I haven’t seen any kind of situation [like this]. These kind of attempts to disrupt the harmony within communities should not be tolerated.

“We know the impacts of these kind of attempts, which has happened in South Asia and in some European countries ... this is how the spark starts.”

Both Hindu and Muslim communities “unequivocally condemned the letters and its contents”, Multicultural NZ president Pancha Narayanan said.

“Hindu and Muslim communities stand united against any mischief-making individuals involved in disruptive and harmful activities.”

They called on the public not to talk publicly about the letters, including on social media, Narayanan said.

“By avoiding unnecessary attention, we can allow the police to carry out their investigative work effectively.”

Police have been contacted for comment.

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.