An update from this:

• “Divisive imam”  leaves NZ, denying he preached jihad (but but: if jihad is only peaceful inner struggle, why not preach it?)

An Islamic religious leader accused of preaching jihad – holy war – in a South Auckland mosque will leave New Zealand today, his supporters say.

Imam or mufti Abdul Qadir Siddiquei was said to have preached jihad against members of other Islamic sects at the country’s biggest mosque, Auckland’s 1000-member Jamia Musjid Al-Mustafa. (National/thanks to Mullah)

Abdul Qadir Siddiquei

The mufti’s supporters have struck back at the allegations, saying they were spread by a “disgruntled ex-member who was banned from the mosque because of his controversial beliefs”.

South Auckland Muslim Association president Mohammed Hasim Khan said his organisation “vehemently refutes the allegations against Mufti Siddiquei”.

Mr Khan said the mufti, who was “pretty upset”, had tendered his resignation on December 11 to be with his sick mother in Pakistan.

“At no time, [did] Mufti Siddiquei preach Holy War either in his speeches or pamphlets in the madrasa [school], nor did he ever preach killing of people of other sects.”

Mr Khan said a YouTube video purported to show the mufti preaching jihad was “disputed as being genuine”.

The mufti had been staying with friends and was leaving New Zealand for Pakistan today.

“The teachings of the madrasa are for boys and girls, based on Islamic tenets and are well monitored by SAMA. Madrasa teachings are equivalent to Sunday schools. SAMA has always denounced any act of terrorism.