A man who yelled abuse outside Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on Wednesday has been forgiven by mosque-goers.
Daniel Nicholas Tuapawa, 33, appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Friday after being arrested on Thursday.
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A summary of facts said Tuapawa on Wednesday said: "I'm sick of these f***wits, they need to f**k off" and "I'm sick of these f**king Muslims thinking they own the place".
Outside the court, after being remanded on bail for sentencing on July 31, he apologised for his actions. He said he felt embarrassed and was upset.
Speaking to Newshub outside Al Noor on Friday, mosque-goer Shafeeq Ismail said he accepted Tuapawa's apology.
"[I] don't have any hate or anything for anyone, it's fine, it's one time.
"We forgive, that's what it's all about.
"Give him a chance and maybe he will be a nicer man."
Hassan Zaman said also did not believe Tuapawa was a bad person.
"If they're realising the truth, we should accept them, [we] don't need to deny him.
"All the people are basically good, sometimes for a moment they will think bad but then they realise the truth."
In a statement on Friday, Canterbury District commander Superintendent John Price thanked members of the public who provided information to police.
"We received a large number of calls from the public after our media release and photograph which assisted in the identification of this man.
"I would also like to thank those members of the community who brought the incident at the mosque to our attention.
"It is my view that we could have dealt with this matter in a better way."
Spt Price said he's initiated an internal review into its response to the incident.
"If people behave in an abhorrent way to others in our community, then the expectation is clearly that they are held to account.
"I have also met with the leaders of both Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque, to communicate to them my concerns about how this incident was dealt with, and to assure them that NZ Police absolutely take this kind of behaviour extremely seriously.
"Police come to work every day to ensure everyone will be safe and feel safe."
Newshub.
