At the Marrickville Council meeting of September 2007, the Council resolved to write to the Federal Minister of Immigration in support  of Sheikh Mansour Leghaei’s appeal to stay in the country.  The language is formal but the intent is clear.  The leaders of our community do not want the Sheikh deported.

Here’s a copy of the letter:

20 December 2007

Senator the Hon Chris Evans
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Dear Minister

MARRICKVILLE COUNCIL’S SUPPORT FOR SHEIKH MANSOUR LEGHAEI

At its meeting of 11 December 2007 (Item CD50, 11/07) Council resolved that:

the report be received and noted;

Council write to the Federal Government expressing Council’s support for Sheikh Mansour Leghaei as he has played an active role in our community and other communities over many years. As an important part of our community he makes great contributions and his loss to the community would be a great loss to the area.

Accordingly, Marrickville Council’s support for Sheikh Mansour Leghaei’s appeal to be able to remain in Australia with his family is drawn to your attention. 

And here’s a copy of the  relevant section of the item, referred to in the above letter: 

It should be noted that since the Forum, Sheikh Mansour Leghaei has lost a High Court appeal and is now threatened with imminent deportation. On his website (http://www.fatherdave.org) Father Dave Smith of the Holy Trinity Church at Dulwich Hill reports:

“This (situation) is astounding, as Mansour’s appeal was not over whether he is a decent citizen or not. It was simply over a point of law – ie. whether he was entitled to a fair trial – and the answer he’s been given is that because he is not an Australian citizen, he is not entitled to a fair trial! This seems simply monstrous to me, and something more appropriate to Nazi Germany than 21st Century Australia! Mansour is Iranian. Because he is Iranian, he is apparently not entitled to a fair trial! Can we imagine the outcry if the situation were reversed – if I went to Iran and was detained on suspicion of some crime, but was then told that because I was Australian I wasn’t entitled to a fair trial

Mansour has asked his friends to do no more than pray for a just outcome. I intend to do that and more. Indeed, I’m looking for support from other Christian clergy, politicians, and high profile sports people of all nationalities, religions and races to show their support for this man, who is a renowned pacifist, and a bridge-builder between our various ethnic and religious communities.”

RECOMMENDATION: THAT

1. the report be received and noted; and

2. Council consider any appropriate action in respect of Father Dave Smith’s comments.