An Auckland student caused controversy after dressing as an Islamic terrorist and staging a mock bomb attack in his school's library during a culture day. The incident, which took place at Avondale College, was recorded and shared on TikTok, where it quickly gained traction, amassing over two million views, The New Zealand Herald reported.
The videos show the student entering the library, wearing a white headscarf and thawb, shouting "Allahu Akbar" before throwing a backpack to mimic a suicide bombing. The room, filled with students, burst into laughter, appearing to be in on the act.
While "Allahu Akbar" is a common Arabic phrase meaning "God is greater" and is primarily used in prayer, it has been wrongly associated with terrorist attacks, a stereotype that was amplified in this stunt.
Avondale College principal Lyndy Watkinson issued a statement condemning the behaviour. "Avondale College rejects any kind of bullying, harassment, or actions that make others feel unsafe. We are a multicultural school, and any violations of our standards will lead to disciplinary action alongside restorative and educative measures," Watkinson said.
The school’s board presiding member, Dave Erson, noted that the incident occurred months ago and was addressed in accordance with school policy and legal guidelines.
The videos, posted in early July, sparked widespread attention on TikTok, with one clip receiving nearly two million views and another over 380,000.
This event comes amid growing concern over Islamophobia in New Zealand. A recent study by Massey University researchers Dr. Fatima Junaid and Dr. Shemana Cassim revealed that over half of Muslims in New Zealand have experienced discrimination, with incidents like this reflecting the ongoing challenges Muslim communities face.
Junaid and Cassim stressed that such events could have a divisive impact, particularly on young Muslims. They noted that humour often disguises deeper forms of discrimination and ostracism, adding that education is key to addressing these issues.
"Teachers and staff must take responsibility for fostering compassion and understanding," they said.
"To Muslim youth, don’t let such events define you," Herald quoted.
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