Its the priests like you who demonstrate the strength of such strong inter-faith relationships. Sheikh Mansour is the most lovely, kind-hearted and forward-thinking muslim Leader I have ever had the genuine pleasure of meeting. I feel anyone who even simply talks to him for a FEW minutes would immediately see this and would be as absolutely flabbergasted at the charges against him. Perhaps those so quick to judge and accuse should look into his background and the REAL warm, kind-hearted and loving man he is before setting such stern accusations! Also, I think it is a reflection of our post 9/11 national terrorisim fears that have frighteningly manifested themselves as unfair federal laws in which a man can be charged on *SUSPICION* and doubts, rather than HARD, SOLID evidence. And also, not be allowed to recieve the correct evidence against them, as “legal procedures with non-citizens do not require this basic fairness”.-That is frankly despicable. The BASIC, HUMAN legal rights to “not be required” with non-citizens, shaky evidence (e.g. the poorly translated notebook, which was later lost by the authorities) is an unacceptable level of injustice. Perhaps we should look at the prosecutors [with their shaky evidence,unfair clauses, and the laws not requiring procedural fairness for non-citizens] rather than the prosecuted as to what is TRULLY a threat to our individual legal securities…

First of all, congratulations on your new posts!

I live opposite the Imam Husain Islamic Centre, a place of gathering and worship for Muslim brothers and sisters from around Sydney, where services are conducted in English. I havent visited the centre but I believe its ethos is quite community minded and that the Imam is involved in a “Multi-faith Round Table” along with other religious leaders in our area. I believe one of issues this group will be addressing with their respective congregations is ‘violence against women’ – what better way to reach communities on this issue than through their leaders.

But Sheikh Mansour faces deportation because he is supposedly a ‘national security threat’, with no evidence provided as to why this could be so. Could the Sheikh be like all the others so wrongfully accused by the Howard Government:- Haneef , children overboard, those who languish too long in detention centres as ‘national security threats’. Its an emotive term, designed to obfiscate, to cover transparency, and is too often firmly directed at muslims. Without redress.

I believe Immigration issues will be the lithmus test of the ALP. First Pauline Hanson, then John Howard gained the ground, playing into a racist nerve. And I’m hoping that the ALP will have the guts now to show some leadership once again and win back our humanity as a nation.

Sheikh Mansours threatened deportation will be the ALPs test case, and I hope that it can be transparent in that process.

Yours Faithfully,

Vivienne Martin

I PERSONALLY KNOW THE SHEIKH FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND HE HAS BEEN A VERY NICE FAMILY PERSON HELPING ALL AUSTRALIANS, WHETHER MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS, ALL ALIKE ADVOCATING HUMANITY AND NOBLE VIRTUES. I EARNESTLY BELIEVE THAT THE NOBLE CHRISTIAN AUTHORITY SHALL OPPOSE THE SHAMEFUL BIASED DECISION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO DEPORT HIM FOR NO REASON, BUT TO FULFIL THEIR ILLEGITIMATE PRESTIGE ISSUE.
WITH BEST REGARDS.
DR. S.K.IMAM
LIVERPOOL,
SYDNEY

I have to write couple next sentences that we can compare different justice decision in most worse comparation.
I am from country background where was in one day slaughtered and kiled 7,000 people like as chicken. The killers put them in mass grave together at different locations. The creators of this horible genocide are still enjoy freedom and they are far away from justice and execution of sentence.The mothers still looking for their children bones after fifteen years.

I think just reading those words in people hearths provocates feelings like a loathsome crime.Every day many hearts has been bleeding and souls didn’t found peace. All innocence victims from 2 months baby to 85 years grandfathers. No one answer, why it’s happened? Where is justice for them, we don’t know, but I strongly believe that one day justice will come.

Thanking to all people for writing words, I would like in first place to thank you father Dave for supporting justice in our democratic society where every human being needs, and for our respectfull sheikh Mensour too.Hundreds thousands refugees found peace and safety in Australia. It is very nice country with many good people including you father Dave. Our sheikh Mensour was present at many community meetings, and he has been always promoting peace, living in harmony,respect, tolerance, and communication within all religious and comunities in Australia. He was always good teacher, mentor, and leader looking just for benefit to all people. His presentations and speaches are always from heart, knowledge, and holy books, that I saw many times people eyes brimming with tears.

It has many Muslim leaders here, but it’s not any Muslim religious leader used to work so hard for unity,peace, tolerance,and humanity, like sheikh Mensour did, even he was not permanent resident. I didn’t know for that.He was acting always like that this is his home country, and all people are his family members, or children threating them with respect and compassion.
After meetings people from all religious background would like to greet him and shake a hands. Many people see that Sheikh Mensour is a person in Australia such as human bridge between Christians and Muslims that are like two eyes, and it’s every should be closed -we will not have clear vision. Together, they are the best unity such as this world just needs strong and peacefull solution.

God bless you both of you Father Dave.

Father Dave, thank you for your support to save our Sheikh, Sheikh Mansour. We really appreciate your concern in this matter and we will always remember you during Our Prays. Since both Muslims and Christians love Jesus, believe in all his miracles and noble morality, know that he will come back to the world again to save humanity and we are all eagerly waiting for this great and blessed event to happen; and for that reason, Australians need more people like Father Dave and Sheikh Mansour to educate and bring both religions closer and prepare them for Jesus’ return.
Together with his return to earth, the lack of understanding between Christians and Muslims who believe in the same God, share the same moral values and, as the Qur’an says, are closer to one another in love than all other people (Qur’an, 5:82) will be repaired, and these two greatest of the world’s religious communities will be united. The members of the world’s third monotheistic religion, the Jews, will also accept Jesus as their true Messiah and find their way to the true religion (Qur’an, 4:159).
The love of Jesus has given Christians throughout history a proper morality. In the Qur’an, God describes Christians as “most affectionate to those who believe” and says that “That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.” (Qur’an, 5:82)
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah and he will reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15)
It is stated several times in the New Testament that Jesus will return to earth. “So Christ . . . will appear a second time . . . to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Heb. 9: 28)
Since Christians and Muslims believe in Jesus and will be united in a common faith when he comes, both communities must try from this moment to overcome their prejudice and distrust between them. They should leave aside their differences, arguments and hostilities that will soon have no significance.
So, let us all prepare together for the coming return of Jesus. Let us have respect for one another’s differences in belief knowing that Jesus will teach us the truth anyway. Let us strive to fill the world with peace, brotherhood, mercy and love as he wants to see it. Let us struggle together in word and deed against philosophies and ideologies that are hostile to him and reject God. Let us wait together for this glad tiding and the greatest miracle in world history.