Anti Muslim Comments by New Zealand Politican

The Green Party wants parliament to reaffirm its position on equality and rights of all cultures, especially Muslims, following a backlash over NZ First MP Richard Prosser's controversial call to ban young Muslim men from Western airlines.

Mr Prosser's anti-Muslim opinion column has made headlines across the world, where he suggested Muslim men should be banned on Western airlines for safety reasons and referred to "a sorry pack of misogynist troglodytes from 'Wogistan'".

The column was prompted by having his pocket knife confiscated before boarding a flight at Christchurch Airport.

After a day of avoiding media on Tuesday, Mr Prosser issued a statement saying he accepts he impugned many peaceful, law-abiding Muslims and deeply regrets any embarrassment caused to his party.

"Terrorism and airline safety worldwide is a serious issue which consumes great resources and causes major disruption. The issue requires positive solutions, and my article in Investigate magazine sadly did not contribute to that," he said.

Mr Prosser said he had used the column, which he has written for 10 years, to act like a "shock jock" and accepted it was no longer appropriate for him, as an MP, to be saying certain things.

"I can't separate, obviously, the man from the role, so I'm now having to give serious consideration to whether I continue with that magazine column," he told media at parliament on Wednesday.

"There's a lot of language in that column that I've used in the past that I shouldn't be using now ... Perhaps this is a catalyst for change for me."

Mr Prosser disputed accusations he was racist.

"Islam's a religion, it's not about race."

He stood by his viewpoint that Muslim women's veils were offensive to some people, which he published in a book in 2012.

"I don't believe in covering your face in public."

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman plans to move a motion in parliament on Wednesday afternoon affirming the rights and equality of all people, and that all New Zealanders should act with respect to others.

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