18th May 2012

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Sheikh's supporters protest against his deportation Add to favourites

Story Added : 03rd June 2010

Hundreds of protesters have left Sydney for a rally in Canberra later today over the planned deportation of muslim cleric Sheikh Mansour Leghaei.

Protesters attended morning prayers at the Islamic Centre at Earlwood, in Sydney's inner-west, before joining the cavalcade.

Dozens of buses and cars packed with protesters have left meeting points at six Sydney suburbs this morning for Federal Parliament House.

Among the protesters are Christian clerics who say they are outraged that Sheikh Mansour Leghaei is being denied permanent residency after 16 years in Sydney.

Anglican Priest Father Dave Smith from the Save the Sheikh Coalition says the Immigration Minister should make public ASIO's security concerns about the cleric.

"He's been charged and tried and deported now without ever being told what he's done," he said.

"There's a fundamental human rights issue there that we believe everyone should have the right to a fair trial.

"He's been told that because he is not an Australian citizen he is not entitled to a fair trial and I think that's something we find deeply offensive."

The Sheikh's wife and son have been granted permanent visas.

Dr Leghaei expected to leave the country by the end of June.

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Story Added by ABC.
Date Added : 03rd June 2010

Tags: community-and-society Add_tag ,  immigration Add_tag ,  religion-and-beliefs Add_tag ,  islam Add_tag ,  government-and-politics Add_tag ,  federal-government Add_tag ,  law-crime-and-justice Add_tag ,  rights Add_tag ,  human Add_tag , 

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