Mon 18 Feb 2008
Below is a template for a letter to the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, appealing that he use his discretionary power to allow Sheikh to stay in the country.
Note that the letter does not suggest that we know all the factors that have led to the government’s negative assessment of the Sheikh. Rather, the focus is on his right to procedural fairness – the belief that everybody in this country is entitled to a ‘fair go’.
Please adapt this letter in a way that makes it your own, but maintain the attitude of respect, believing that the Minister is concerned to see justice done.
The Hon. Chris Evans
Minister for Immigration & Citizenship
Parliament House
Canberra
ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
RE: SHEIKH DR.MANSOUR LEGHAEI
I/We write this letter in regards to the immigration case of Sheik Mansour Leghaei, which had not been resolved over the last 11 years (his application having been lodged on the 1st November 1996).
As an Australian resident/citizen/Australian residents/citizens I am/we are concerned about the manner in which Dr. Legghaei’s case had been dealt with and the process adopted. As a person/persons who knows/know him personally/know of him and have witnessed his service and contribution to Australian community we request you to look into the case again and give him a fair hearing and a reasonable consideration of his case.
Further more we place before you our trust in Dr. Leghaei as a person who has worked towards peace, inter-religious harmony and settlement of new migrants with Australian values into the community, and do not consider him as a person who would cause any threat or disadvantage to the Australian community. On the contrary the Leghaei family had been well loved and accepted by all al who have into contact with them.
Thanking you for a favorable response to gain permanent residence
Yours Faithfully/Sincerely,
Name
Organisation
Position
Feel free to contribute your own letter as a comment
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:25 am
Alan Coates AM MD FRACP
3 March 2008
The Hon. Chris Evans
Minister for Immigration & Citizenship
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
RE: SHEIKH DR. MANSOUR LEGHAEI
I write this letter in regard to the immigration case of Sheik Dr. Mansour Leghaei, which has remained unresolved. I understand that his application was lodged in 1996. I am particularly concerned about the non-transparent process adopted.
From my own contacts with Dr. Leghaei I regard him as a person who has worked towards peace and inter-religious harmony. I became aware of his work in this area through contacts in my own church (St James King Street Sydney) which has a tradition of inter-faith studies and seminars. I personally worked with Dr Leghaei in 2001, when, as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Cancer Society I organised an interfaith event to mark World Cancer Day. I found him to be a sincere, gentle, erudite man of obvious faith, and possessed of a gentle but striking sense of humour. Some years later I became aware of his uncertainty about his Australian residency, and wrote in his support to your predecessor. I am currently working with Dr Leghaei in planning a further seminar at the St James Institute.
I believe that it is important to inter-religious harmony that positive role models such as Dr Leghaei are active in our community. As a person who knows him personally and has witnessed his service and contribution to the Australian community I respectfully request that you look into the case again and give him a fair hearing and a reasonable consideration.
Yours sincerely,
March 5th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
thank you so much for your support for our sheik mansour;i really send my regards for father dave for all his kindness and for careing for our community also kind regards to marackville council
March 6th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Hon Cris Evans
Minister of Immigration and citizenship
Parliament House
Canberra ACT
The Honourable minister
The Labor Government was elected by the Austlalian people to undo the injustices done by the raciest Howard Government. Among many cases of injustices DR Sheikh Mansour Legaei case is one of the glaring example. He has served the wider Australian community in many ways especially through the Inter faith group always organised by the Marrickville council in NSW which has sent to you very strong letter of support. it must be on your files.
It is most unfortunate that Labor Government wants to perpetuates same unjust attitiude which the predecessor Government did. Please bring any evidence against him in the public as it is being done against other muslim suspects in australia. It is cruel to accuse someone and not tell what the accusations are so that the person could defend. Is not it gross injustice which God and the his people would nor forgive the one who are doing it? What do you think honourable minister and his Government. The power comes and goes, never stay for ever. Look at the devastated end of the previuos Government.We should ponder and learn the lesson and mould ourselves accordingly
March 11th, 2008 at 8:09 am
March 11 2008
The Hon. Chris Evans
Minister for Immigration & Citizenship
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Mr Evans,
I write to you in support of Sheikh Mansour Leghaei of the Imam Husain Islamic Centre in Earlwood New South Wales.
I am the Director of the Aquinas Academy adult education centre in Sydney. On two occasions I have invited Sheikh Mansour to give courses here. The first was in 2003, when he joined Sheikh Jihad in giving a five-week introductory course on Islam. The second was in 2007 when he and I together presented a course entitled, “Mysticism: Islamic and Christian Perspectives.” That course lasted four weeks.
I believe Sheikh Mansour is a man of peace. I trust him and find him to be a gentle and honest person. I am confident that he has a very good influence in assisting other Muslims to assimilate well into Australian society. If we wish our Muslim brothers and sisters to become full committed as Australian citizens, we must encourage them to develop leaders like Sheikh Mansour.
Sheikh Mansour Leghaei has my full support in his efforts to remain in Australia. I will be happy to confirm any of the above statements if you or your representative would care to contact me.
Sincerely,
Michael Whelan SM PhD
Director
March 17th, 2010 at 8:33 am
I haven’t met Sheikh Mansour but after learning of his plight, I felt compelled to write to the minister for immigration. I don’t pray but my thoughts are with the Sheikh and his family.
April 4th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Dear sir
I’m a UK Citizen from London and I would like to thank you for your support and campaign to save Dr leghaei. Your work is an example to all communities. Although Im thousands of miles away, I have written to the Minister as well. I believe everything is with God, who Knows more than all the wonderful and beneficial work carried out by Sheikh Leghaei. We pray to The Almighty for whatever He wants as an outcome.
All the best
April 10th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I believe that Sheik Mansour Leghaei is being set up by certain elements within the Iranian commmunity in Sydney. I believe that he should be allowed to remain in Australia with his family.
John Cochrane
May 4th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
As an educated conservative American born Australian citizen, I have had the ultimate opportunity of attending the Imam Husain Islamic Centre from its conception. Praise must be given to the hard work of this active member of society as the outlook of Islam in Sydney has been shone a bright light. The youth of our society have been blessed by the guidance of our Sheikh to appreciate and value the Islamic life style in our modern day society. The conservatism, open mindness, intellect and up to date-ness of this individual are second to none and it is with great concern to see this matter evolve into its current state. The future of our society without this prominent individual is very oblique.
I hope that after this matter resides our Sheikh can receive the gratitude that he deserves for his individual brilliance and hard efforts for creating a gateway for all youths from all backgrounds and religions.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:16 am
Well said, dear brother 🙂
Thank you.
Dave
dave@fatherdave.org
http://www.fatherdave.org
May 21st, 2010 at 8:38 pm
The impending deportation of Sheikh Mansour Leghaei is a travesty of justice.His human rights have been violated. The rights that inhere in a human being are her rights by virtue of her status as a human being.They are not premised upon one’s nationality.The Australian government which often claims to be a champion of human rights should not tarnish its image by deporting the Sheikh.
September 22nd, 2012 at 3:51 am
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