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In what appears to be retaliation against the terrorist attacks in the United States, a Hindu temple in New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, was vandalised.
The perpetrators reportedly mistakook the temple for a mosque.
The vandals threw two plastic bags full of red paint at the front door of the Sandringham temple Sunday night. The large door, walls and pillars were reportedly splattered with paint, which volunteers removed later on.
The temple was reportedly locked at night as usual, and the vandals threw the paint over the iron fence around the building.
According to Auckland newspaper Central Leader, a man claimed responsibility on behalf of a hitherto unknown organisation named Kiwi Liberation Front, for an "attack on a mosque in Mt. Eden".
"Listen carefully, I will say this only once," the recorded voice said. "It has gone on long enough, people have had enough." More action "we feel appropriate" will be taken, the voice added.
Like in the U.S. and some European countries, non-Christian shrines have come under attack in this region following the September 11 terrorist strikes on New York and Washington, for which the Americans hold Islamic extremists responsible. A number of Muslims have also reported physical attacks. But most of these incidents of vandalism or desecration have taken place in Australia.
New Zealand has not witnessed the same kind of venom as is being displayed in Australia. The atmosphere has become tense as, according to some reports, about 60 Australians may have lost their lives in the September 11 outrages in New York and Washington.
A few days ago another attack took place on New Zealand's largest Hindu temple, the Bhartiya Mandir at Balmoral.
Sandringham temple chairman Dinesh Tailor expressed surprise at the incidents. "I didn't expect it to happen," he told the media. "We thought that in New Zealand we work together with everyone and respect everyone's belief and faith."
About 25,000 of New Zealand's estimated 40,000 Hindus live in Auckland.
Indo-Asian News Service
The Attack on America: The Complete Coverage
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