Muslim women take pictures of themselves with a Samsung Galaxy Grand
Muslim women take pictures of themselves with a Samsung Galaxy Grand smartphone in Jakarta, April 11, 2014. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd estimated that its January-March operating profit fell by 4.3 percent to 8.4 trillion won ($7.96 billion) as easing smartphone sales growth continued to weigh earnings down. REUTERS/Beawiharta REUTERS/Beawiharta

Muslims in New Zealand have become victims of discrimination, following the government's renewed focus on the possible threat of ISIS supporters attacking in the country. The tension in New Zealand's Muslim community is also mounting due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as U.S.-led coalition forces and Iraqi military wage a war against ISIS.

According to RadioNZ, racist attacks are mostly directed on Muslim women and children wearing a hijab or headscarf. However, for some, discrimination is not only for those Muslims who have recently moved to New Zealand. Musa Taukuri had converted to Islam before the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001. He said the added pressure because of the terror attacks had only strengthened his faith in Islam, but his family and friends had become targets of verbal assaults. Taukuri tells his children to remember details if someone shouts abuse at them while outside.

Aliya Denzeisen, a school teacher in Hamilton, also serves as a women's group leader in the Waikato Muslim Association. She has been monitoring racist incidents the past few months and said they have increased significantly.

Aside from Muslim women receiving insults from passing men in cars, Denzeisen has heard of a woman who had water thrown at her. Some women were also reportedly hear adverse comments while working. Denzeisen thinks some international events are wrongly blamed on people who have no involvement or responsibility.

Most incidents are never reported to the police as some don't think they are serious enough to warrant a police report. Denzeisen believes the incidents of discrimination can only make the members of the Muslim community feel insecure and unsafe.

Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, a senior police official in charge of ethnic relations, said he is working with Muslim leaders in New Zealand to give support. He said New Zealand and its people do not tolerate discrimination.

Meanwhile, according to local reports, New Zealand's two political parties have agreed to an awkward truce over the anti-terror bill. The legislation aimed to curb the threat of foreign fighters with ties to extremist groups will finally be passed into a law in the coming days but not before it is subjected to the changes MPs want. The Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill has been criticised for its rushed and undemocratic process as some politicians have grown wary of changes.