Muslims forgive hate-mail writer

The Somali Muslim community has extended the hand of friendship to a man who terrorised its members with hate-filled letters.

The 53-year-old Hutt Valley man, who has admitted writing 30 abusive letters to Muslims all over New Zealand, was yesterday jailed for six months - the first time anyone has been jailed in this country for such hate-letter offences.

The man's name and details remain suppressed until his bid for permanent name suppression can be heard in the High Court in 13 days time.

Wellington District Court Judge Peter McAloon rejected a plea by the man's lawyer to let him stay in the community but granted permission for him to apply for home detention. However, he refused to defer the start of the sentence and ordered him to pay $500 to each of the three victims.

Somali community spokesman Adam Awad said the man was to be forgiven. He would be welcome at mosques to learn about Muslim values.

- NZPA