Mon 14 Jun 2010
Join Us in our Final Stand to Save the Sheikh
Posted by Father Dave under Uncategorized[16] Comments
Download the PDF version of the promotional poster here. Email it to your friends, print copies, post them up in your school, university, church, mosque or workplace, and take your stand for justice!
June 15th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I find him, the Sheikh Mansour, a man needed and highly recommended for the Australia today, and I do get surprised to notice that, how could my Australia afford to deport a scholar who has already contributed 16 years of his best life to bring different religions, communities and people closer in Australia!
June 16th, 2010 at 10:16 am
May God bless you father Dave. We all thank you very much for all your efforts to save our sheikkh, and deeply appreciate your concerns in this matter. Thanks for your sincere support and we all pray that God help you and us in this difficult time.
June 20th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Saturdays’ rally, from my perspective.
It felt so good to be among brothers and sisters who were standing together against the injustice which affects us all.
“My name is John Smith and I’m a cleric teaching in Iran . . “ began the Sheik as he addressed the crowd in Town Hall Square across from the Sydney Anglican Diocese offices. Here I was at another rally where the good humour of the participants seemed completely at odds with the expectations of the police who were gathered in groups at the perimeter of the square.
We mourned the death of justice and threw artificial flowers into an empty coffin which symbolised the Australian Government’s commitment to social and humanitarian justice.
The PA was packed up, the crowd thinned and the police drove away. But as I went to leave I was delayed when several (tourist type) passers-by approached me to ask about the gathering. One couple even said it was because I looked “approachable and unthreatening”. None of them had heard about the Sheik’s impending deportation nor our Government’s snub of the UN request for a delay. This didn’t seem like a “protest” . . most of the people were smiling. I felt pleased that I had been asked for more information and privileged that I had been allowed to tell them about the Sheik’s influence in his community and his bridge building in the community at large.
It’s not too late to tell the story to 10 people who haven’t heard it yet. Maybe they’ll tell 10 more . . .
from . just another concerned Christian
June 21st, 2010 at 9:45 am
I am a cultural Christian with no religious affiliation. I attended the rally because I respect the sheikh’s learnedness and peaceful manner so find ASIO’s claim implausible. However, I was dismayed at the overwhelming Muslim ambiance of the rally, the men lining up at the front as at a mosque, most of the women wearing the hijab. I stood aside. I’m not a Muslim and I hate all of that sexual segregation and politicisation of religion. I don’t like Islam, even in its pious – perhaps pretentiously pious? – manifestations. I still hope and pray that the sheikh will be allowed to stay. He is a good and a simple and a kind hearted man. I just won’t attend any further rallies.
June 21st, 2010 at 10:43 am
Hi Stretch,
Your comments are as refreshing as I felt the day before yesterday, when I rallied along with my Christian, Hindu, Muslim and other Australians.
From my perspective, even if all public protests to ‘savethesheikh’ are remained unheard by the government, and our elected/local representatives in particular, but one thing is definite that yes we, the protesters, did Advance Australia Fair!!!
June 21st, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Peace be upon you shiekh and your family where ever you go.
Every land is blessed to have you on.
we are the losers to lose you…
our sincere prayers to you and your family with all the best.
June 22nd, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Anne
I find your views disturbing. I did not attend the rally simply because – having participated in many over the last 30 years – I see the only benefit of them to be self-gratification. Unfortunately, despite all the hyperbole, little actually comes from taking to the streets.
What I find so disturbing about your comments is that they reflect religious racism, intolerance and – dare I say it – ignorance.
You talk about Muslims politicising their religion but I see Christianity as being no different. Whether we like it or not, religion and politics have always gone hand in hand. Do you not watch television and see how our ‘leaders’ Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott are so affiliated with their church. Rudd is regularly interviewed exiting from his church.
Islam is not about sexual segregation such as you state and I’m not sure why you would even begin to hold that view. Muslims, and people of Middle Eastern decent in general, have a very strong sense of family and togetherness; something that is often seen but rarely truly comprehended in the West.
And what of the Hijab? Are you suggesting that Australia might go down the same road as France and legislate for bigotry?
The ‘Muslim ambiance’ as you call it simply comes about because the Sheikh hails from Iran and because his community is essentially the Muslim community. That is why there is predominantly a white, Christian ambiance around Rudd and Abbott.
I see Muslim unity as one of the great pillars of global society; not something to be derided.
Peace to all – and God bless the Sheikh!
June 23rd, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Roy
I’m not a (believing) Christian and I hate all of that sexual segregation (in the prominent sects, only men can be priests) and politicisation of religion. Happy now?
I especially dislike Islam because it does not allow non-Muslims, especially mere females, to criticize or disparage Islam or Mohammad in any way whatsoever. I especially dislike non-Muslims who obsequiously support Muslims in this madness.
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Roy
Your idea of Muslim unity is laughable. Where were the non-Iranian Shiites? Where were ANY Sunnis? Most of the Oz Muslim world is yawning over this incident because it\\\’s only about an obscure Iranian Shiite cleric.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Anne
I suspect that ‘I’m not a (believing) Christian’ might be indicative of just how confused you are on the subject of religion. That said, you might be better served by dealing with these confusions before you denigrate a great religion in the way you have.
I can’t see that it is wrong that adherents of Islam should seek to have others respect their faith. You seem to be suggesting that it should be open season for deriding Islam. If you don’t want to be part of a group, simply do not join it. But always respect those that do join it. I choose not to call myself a Christian, or a Muslim, or a Hindu or a Buddhist – but I would never consider denigrating any of these religions because I am not an adherent. Yes, I see that through the ages, people have done some terrible things in the name of their faith, but is it the faith or the individual that is to be held accountable.
Anne, I am happy to be one of those ‘ non-Muslims who obsequiously support Muslims in this madness’ (whatever ‘this madness’ is) because love and respect for people – all people – transcends everything and is at the core of our existence.
Warm regards
Roy
June 24th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Anne,
If you were there surely you stood indifferent and aside from the rally. I say this because I, myself, met there with many non-Iranian Australians, including Shiite Muslims from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan in particular.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Roy
I am a cultural Christian, brought up in the faith but having long ago rejected the superstitious nonsense at its mainstream core. Simply put, I am a non-believing Christian. You sound to me like just another cultural or non-believing Christian.
Islam is an ideology that I should be able to repudiate with as much assurance of personal safety as when repudiating communism or fascism or any other ideology. Ask Salman Rushdie about how freely anyone can comment or even write a mere imaginary scenario about any aspect of Islam.
Early Muslims attacked non-aligned or “kufr” communities, killed the men and took the women as slaves. When those women, understandably, complained they were brutally murdered in turn and these acts met with Mohammad’s express approval. These are facts as recorded in the Islamic records.
You are what is known as a “dhimmi”, a non-Muslim too scared to stand up to Muslim thugs.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Sheikh Mansour Leghaei, his wife and their beloved daughter will depart Australia this Sunday, 27th of June 2010.
There isn’t any hope left for a ‘FAIR GO’ in his case, at the moment, and considering 16 years of his untiring fight for justice in Australia, I do not even see a point to make a request, afresh to the incomeing prime minister for an intervention.
Thankyou Father and thankyou Sheikh for your efforts for justice and human rights in 21st century.
Thankyou all, and
thankyou Australia!
June 24th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Anne
With all due respect I have to reject the labels that you have thrust my way. I am neither Christian nor Muslim. And as for being a “dhimmi” as you put it, I don’t believe that you would be qualified to state whether or not I stand up to any king of thugs, let along Muslim ones.
Clearly we are diametrically opposed on the idea of treating others with an open mind.
June 24th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Roy
You cannot have an open mind when it is buried deep inside sand.
June 25th, 2010 at 5:33 am
I like Julie being as prime minister, she sound good. I like her attitude and personality.
I hope that she do better in regards to application of shiekh Mansour.
Maybe forwarding a letter to her is very good idea, same letter which was intended to be sent to Kevin Rudd.