Two South Auckland Islamic schools are currently in lockdown after receiving a suspicious call. 

Al-Madinah School and Zayed College for Girls on Westney Rd, Māngere, have confirmed the lockdown. 

Police say they are investigating after an “email of a concerning nature” was sent to staff at Al-Madinah School in Māngere.

A third Islamic school, Iqra primary school in New Lynn, is on restricted access today after the threat.

Al-Madinah assistant principal Amjad Ali told RNZ a video was sent to the school’s principal at 11pm last night.

Police are investigating after an email of a concerning nature was sent to staff at Al Madinah School in Māngere. Photo / Dean Purcell

The video featured a man showing guns in a car and randomly shooting, he said.

It wasn’t filmed at the school, but police recommended going into lockdown.

The assistant principal told the Herald “everyone is safe” and urged people not to panic.

Police were notified of the incident at around 7.15am this morning.

Police were at the school and inquiries were under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the email.

The schools have said there are no students onsite and police are currently present.

Both schools have closed for the day following the threat.

Al-Madinah has written on its website “Al-Madinah school is in lockdown”.

Zayed College said on its website that it was closed today following a suspicious call to Al-Madinah.

“As a matter of caution, following a suspicious call to Al-Madinah, Zayed College will be closed today.

“If your daughter or family member is currently at school, we are in full lockdown and will communicate with you as soon as we can,” Commissioner Linley Myers said.

NZ Fiji Times reported that students had received threatening emails today. 

Al-Madinah School assistant principal Rizwan Hussein confirmed the situation. 

The school’s principal Asin Ali told NZ Fiji Times that students had received threatening emails and were advised to stay home. 

Zayed College for Girls. Photo / Google Maps

Iqra School principal Leanne Chartrand said, “we are on alert currently in the event of an emergency due to another school in South Auckland receiving threats”.

“We have very good practices in place and the staff will be on alert to ensure our children stay safe.”

‘Wake-up’: Concern for Muslim community amid Govt decision

The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) say they are closely monitoring the unfolding situation in Auckland.

They are concerned about the welfare, wellbeing, and the trauma experienced by these students.

The national Muslim umbrella organisation says “the Government has defunded, deprioritised and dismantled many of the key national security framework components”.

Police are investigating after an email of a concerning nature was sent to staff at Al Madinah School in Māngere. Photo / Dean Purcell

The “decision to withdraw these funds is a retrograde step, taken without consideration for the safety and security of New Zealanders and without any consultation with vulnerable communities.”

FIANZ says talk about the reintroduction of military-style semi-automatic firearms implemented after the March 15 terror attack has “emboldened would-be terrorists to discuss shooting Muslim children at schools in New Zealand.”

“This should serve as a wake-up call for the Rt Hon Prime Minister that his Associate Minister for Justice is jeopardising the safety of all New Zealanders, disregarding national security.”

They say these threats could well have been a threat to a synagogue, church, community centre, women’s refuge, or even a shopping centre.

Police are investigating after an email of a concerning nature was sent to staff at Al Madinah School in Māngere. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Arms Act is being rewritten and will be put before Parliament

Ministry of Education hautū (leader) Te Tai Raro (North) Isabel Evans said “we are in contact with the two schools that went into lockdown and have offered our support if needed”.

Al-Madinah School offers students courses in Islamic subjects as well as complete coverage of the New Zealand Curriculum.

Zayed College for Girls is a state-integrated special character Islamic secondary school for girls Year 7 – 13.

More to come