Sydney, April 1: Christians in the Dulwich Hill and Marrickville area are staging a 24-hour prayer vigil over the Easter Weekend to pray for the welfare of the local Islamic community and for their spiritual leader, Sheikh Mansour Leghaei.
Representatives of the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting churches as well as members of the indigenous and Muslim communities are expected to join the vigil at the Holy Trinity Church, Dulwich Hill, from 9 am on Saturday, April 3 until 9 am on Easter Sunday.
Dr Leghaei, a moderate Shia cleric, is facing deportation along with his wife and 20 year-old son. He is a key member of the local interfaith community, which holds dialogues across religious divides to address common community issues such as youth outreach and marriage counselling.
“I’m not trying to downplay the differences between our faiths,” said Father Dave Smith, parish priest at Holy Trinity Dulwich Hill, “but there are fundamental things that unite us that are greater than our differences, such as our commitment to justice for this good man.”
Despite living in Australia for 16 years, Dr Leghaei has been denied permanent residency due to two Adverse Security Assessments issued by ASIO. He has never been told the reason for the assessments and strenuously denies that he has ever been a threat to national security.
Prominent human rights and civil libertarian groups, including the International Commission of Jurists and the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, have raised concerns over the lack of procedural fairness in ASIO’s treatment of Dr Leghaei .
Dr Leghaei has lodged a last ditch appeal to the Immigration Minister, Senator Chris Evans, to allow him to remain in Australia and continue his important work.
“We believe that everybody should have the right to a fair trial, regardless of their race or religion, and regardless of whether they are citizens or not. This in itself is an issue that should have everyone at prayer,” Father Dave said.
Media are invited to cover the prayer vigil
When: Saturday, April 3, from 9 am
Where: Holy Trinity Church, Cnr Seaview & Herbert Sts, Dulwich Hill
Father David Smith, 61-2-9569-1255 (or use contact form at www.fatherdave.org)
For more details, download the Easter Prayer Vigil poster here
March 28, 2010. Almost 1000 supporters of Dr Mansour Leghaei gathered in Steele Park in Marrickville, calling upon the Australian government to reconsider the decision to deport their favourite Sheikh (click on the thumbnails above for full size pics).
Posted by Father Dave under Uncategorized Comments Off on Unity in the Community BBQ
Join us on Sunday March28th for the Unity in the Community BBQ – calling on our government for a fair go for Sheikh Mansour Leghaei.
This is a chance for all of Sheikh Mansour’s supporters – Muslims, Christians, people of other faiths and people of no specific faith – to come together to express their concern for the man and his family.
Festivities will be held at Steel Park (Illawarra Road, Marrickville) beginning at 11am and continuing until 4pm. Sausages will be provided, courtesy of the Imam Husain Islamic Centre but you can equally bring your own picnic (but NO alcohol please).
Download the full-sized poster by clicking here. Print it and post it up in your school, church, mosque or office.
Posted by Father Dave under Media Coverage Comments Off on Sheikh Mansour Pleads For His Family
Having submitted his formal appeal to the Minister for Immigration, Sheikh Mansour Leghaei has broken his silence and spoken openly to Lateline about his concern for his family and his ongoing hope for justice.
Sheikh Mansour’s story has been widely publicised in all the major Sydney papers this week and is gaining international attention. Amongst other media pieces published this week:
Sheikh Mansour and Ali are interviewed on JJJ Hack Radio
Father Dave speaks on his relationship with Sheikh on ABC’s The Drum.
And the good news is that Sheikh Mansour has now been given an extension on his visa until the Minister for Immigration has considered his appeal. The extension currently takes him through to the middle of April 2010
Posted by Father Dave under Press Releases Comments Off on Deportation will split Iranian cleric’s family
Sydney, March 15: The Australian children of a moderate Shia Muslim cleric who is facing deportation have appealed for their parents to be allowed to stay in this country.
Sheikh Mansour Leghaei has submitted a final appeal to Immigration Minister Senator Chris Evans to reconsider his deportation, originally scheduled for Friday.
The deportation would split the family, with Dr and Mrs Leghaei and their 20 year-old son, Ali, being forced to return to Iran and their 14 year old daughter, Fatima, and two older sons remaining in Australia.
Fatima, who was born in St George Hospital Kogarah in 1995, has sent a letter to Senator Evans describing how the anxiety and uncertainty over the threat of deportation have impacted the entire family.
“I am proud of my father and all that he stands for… He has taught me to love who and what I am and where I am,” she wrote to Senator Evans.
“As an Australian I have the right to live in my country with my family. I deserve the love and support of a father.”
Although Dr Leghaei has lived in Australia for 16 years, his application for residency has been denied due to two adverse security assessments made by ASIO several years ago.
Dr Leghaei strenuously denies that he has ever been a threat to national security.
His bid to remain in Australia is backed by a large group of multi faith supporters, including Anglican, Catholic, indigenous and other community leaders in inner Western Sydney.
Dr Leghaei leads the 1500-member Imam Husain Islamic Centre in Earlwood and is the elected head of the local Interfaith Committee. A moderate Shia and Australia’s only English speaking Iranian cleric, his community work involves youth outreach, marriage counseling and online university education.
Dr Leghaei and his family are available for interview. Media can apply through a comment on this post.
