just.

Ali is a Committed Christian and will be killed if he is returned to Iran.
He deserves to be allowed to stay in NZ or at least found a country where his life is not in danger.

Let the poor man stay show some compassion :(

Smacking or death – if I had to choose, the choice would be easy. Let’s set Ali free.

This is not Stalinist Russia or a CIA rendering facility. This is New Zealand where we should be giving people a fair go.
Come on Cunliffe – give this man a break!
He needs a temporary visa until it is safe for him to return to Iran. Simple basic Christian principles demand nothing less.

Pray for mercy.

If a man in this situation does not fit our definition of `refugee’ then our definition should be changed!

It’s time that Western governments and western secular ‘liberals’ awoke to the realities of life in Muslim countries. ‘Religious refugee’ is as valid a category as ‘political refugee’ or ‘ethnic refugee’ – and sometimes overlap anyway. I am ashamed of our present Government’s stance.

Does Labour really support keeping non-criminals in prison and deporting people to countries where they will be persecuted and possibly murdered for their religious beliefs? Please act now; treat Ali Panah with the compassion and humanity to which we all like to think we’re entitled.

New Zealand must avoid adopting the primacy of fear and racism which the USA demands of us.

New Zealand and other countries need to take the threat to Christians in Muslim countries seriously. We have led the world in other ethical decisions – come on, New Zealand, let’s lead the way again.

Let’s hear our Government’s case for refusing this man refugee status. Will it meet the test of justice and mercy? Will it withstand public scrutiny? Can the Government justify handing this man over to the ravages of militant fundamentalism?

New life is at the heart of the Gospel. Give Ali the opportunity to expereince his new life in abundance. Set him free from his physical, mental and emotional torment and let him stay in New Zealand.

I am disturbed that there is a lack of knowledge of what actually happens to people who convert from Islam to Christianity in fundamentalist Moslem countries. I recomend that officials who are assessing the risk to Ali Panah seek more information from other than the ‘official government’ voice.
In the meantime I ask that Ali Panah be granted a temporary visa to allow him to remain in NZ until other options are explored.

New Zealand needs to back up its stand on multi-culturalism, respect for others and inclusiveness of all, by demonstrating mercy to this man, thereby showing what tolerance really means. He needs to stay in New Zealand where he does not need to fear for his life.

This man’s life is in serious danger from fundamentalist Islamic groups. Whilst the murder of Christians is seldom reported in the media it occurs regularly throughout the Islamic world. One need only check out organisations such as Open Doors and the Barnabas Fund to confirm this. If we want to be known as a country which promotes religious tolerance we cannot do better than to demonstrate our concern over the persecution of religious minorities overseas but giving sanctuary to Ali Panah.

I lived in Iran in the early 80’s and there are many beautiful aspects to the country and culture. However I believe that there is little religious tolerance by fundamentalist Islamic authorities, particularly for Muslims converting to Christianity. I totally understand Agha Panah’s fears of being persecuted as a Christian and believe that in deporting him back to Iran, our Government will be sending him to his death. The fact that he has been a practising Christian and part of a Christian community for a few years tells me that his faith is real and he is not just using this as an excuse to be allowed to stay.

Our Prime Minister may not see NZ as a Christian country, but many of us do and expect our government to abide by the principles of justice, compassion and mercy in such cases. And where do these principles come from? The Christian ethos embedded in our constitution, the Treaty of Waitangi, our legal and judicial systems, etc etc, etc.

Ali has shown his intention as a good christian and should be allowed to stay in New zealand as a free man; not returned to Iran and expected murder.

Dear Minister,
I feel that to deport a man whose Christian faith means almost certain execution upon his return to Iran is surely not the action of a civilised and humane nation. I urge you to release Mr Ali Panah from Jail and to allow him to remain here in New Zealand at least until there is an assurance from Iran that Christian converts will not be executed.

Justice with mercy ought to be a defining quality of this country and indeed of every country. Let’s lead by example.

I strongly urge the Minister of Immigration to exercise some compassion and fairness in the case of Ali Panah.

We as New Zealand citizens seek justice and compassion for Mr Ali Panah.

Please allow Mr Ali Panaah to stay in NZ so that a long term and just solution can be found for him.

I am concerned that the Government is adopting increasingly harsh attitudes toward refugees, in some cases under a code of secrecy that belies our (recent) tradition of open debate and humanitarian concern. Amnesty International’s warning about the prospects for Ali Panah should he be retuned to Iran should be heeded.

Please allow this man to stay in New Zealand. We have plenty of room and resources to share with others. Furthermore, the potential for religious persecution of this man should he be deported, is reason enough for him to be given shelter in our safe land.

As a nation of people who have only been here for less than 170 years, we would be showing a tragic hypocrisy if we refuse to show mercy on this man who is seeking refuge from serious and proven danger in our country. Ali has shown himself to be an excellent citizen and is contributing to his soceity more than many “native” New Zealanders are today.

Iran has one of the highest number of recorded executions of any country in the world. Amnesty International continues to document serious human violations there, including detention of human rights defenders and other prisoners of conscience, unfair trials, torture and mistreatment in detention, deaths in custody and of course the application of the death penalty.

If we refuse to show him the good will he unquestionably deserves, we will be actively perpetrating a grave injustice. Not only towards Ali, but also towards the millions of people he represents in Iran and countless other oppressed countries, where people are deprived of basic human rights and subjected to systematic and blatant discrimination, repression and persecution because they choose a different religion.

We’re aware of some of the atrocities faced by Christians in Iran and we believe that it would be inhuman to send Mr Ali Panah back to Iran.
along with the Archbishops and the Anglican Commissioner for Social Justice, we ask the Government to show mercy in this matter.

Thank you

The Minister of Immigration is not doing himself or his department any favours by refusing to allow Ali Panah to remain in New Zealand.
It is a cruel and inhumane decision to insist that this man, whatever his religion, should be deported to a certain death sentence.
Who in the future will have any confidence in the decisions made by the Minister or his officials after this disgraceful example of injustice.
It makes one ashamed to claim to be a New Zealander..

Let us pray not only for this man who faces a certain death sentence if he is returned to Iran but also for our Government ministers who take such an inhumane stand as to ignore the pleas of those who are seeking understanding and new life in this country – God defend New Zealand.

I pray that time is given for due process to be done and that Ali is given the opportunity to live his life in Aotearoa/NZ – that he is given a temporary visa – it is a crime this has taken so long to be sorted out.

We need to show mercy. If Pli Panah had money the Government would welcome him to stay in NZ. This is a good opportunity to show that not everything is for sale and that the price tag on life is Christian love and not money or nationality.

I am very pleased to add my voice to to help those who have had theirs forcibly removed. I hope this government has an ear to hear before it is too late – for Mr Panah and for them!

Your kingdom come, here on earth, as it is in heaven.

Of course he should stay if it will keep him safe. We shouldn’t just pray for him however but also for the extremist militant government in Iran as well as New Zealands government. Can we as Christians pay for the air fare for him to go to the UK? Can we make this suggestion to the powers that be in NZ (if it hasn’t already been done)?

What are the compelling reasons that this man should be deported? When the Christian community has embracd him and vouches for him, what can be the grounds for sending him back, when such a respected watch-dog as Amnesty International advises against it? For the sake of true justice, surely at least a temporary visa to allow for a proper long term solution for Ali and for such others to be sought, is the only way forward worthy of the values we as a nation subscribe to.

We feel quite strongly that should Ali Panah be deported back to Iran that his life would be at risk as any Moslem converting to Christianity would be suspect.
We endorse the Archbishop’s comments that mercy be showm to him and he be allowed to have refuge in NZ

More Christians have been murdered because of their faith in the last Century than in the previous two thousand years combined. The reality of such persecution for a Christian returning to Iran is very real. We pride ourselves as a people for being open to refugees in real need. If we send this man back we are in effect opening ourselves up to be accessories to murder. Please show the compassion, common sense and decency to keep this man who has made such an effort to be a solid and caring contributing member of our society where he belongs. Here in New Zealand where he may be free to continue being a valued member of our society.

I believe he would be in grave danger to be sent back to Iran . We as a nation will be as guilty as any Iranian of his death or drastically reduced access to the rights of an Iranian citizen should we send him back .

I add my voice to the petition to recognise Ali Panah and permit him to remain in NZ. NZ has an obligation to help persons whose lives are threatened should they return to their home country. Compassion is needed in this case and in return NZ could receive a valuable citizen and demonstrate to other countries that all human beings are created equal in the eyes of God.

I am saddened and distressed at the lack of humanity shown to Mr Ali Panah by the present government. Please show some compassion.

Please allow this man to stay.

I implore NZIS to allow Ali Panah to sdtay in NewZealand. There is growing evidence his life would be in danger if he returned to Iran , and could we in NewZealand live with our conseciences if he was deported to Iran and later be found to be imprisoned and killed

We have notified friends in the US, asking for their support.

As a fellow Christian I ask for mercy concerning Mr Ali Panah please don’t condem him to death by deporting him to Iran…………….Please give him the gift of life by allowing him to continue to LIVE in New Zealand.

The position adopted by the NZ Government on issues such as this defines what kind of nation we are – well, what kind are we?

Nothing new to add to other excellent comments.

Justice must be served in our country and we have
a human duty to support the oppressed.

Please, allow time for a just process to take
place for Ali Panah.

I ministered alongside Rev. Clive Sperring and have witnessed first hand the faith that Ali has. I have no doubt at all that his conversion to Christianity is real as is the threat of death if He is deported. I hope and pray that this government can come to a place where they once more see the need for justice and grant Ali the very basics of human rights, grant him life.

Lets hope and pray that compassion and common sense prevail with the Minister. Ali Panah should be allowed to stay in NZ.

To quote Ashley Brilliant : ‘everyday I discover more and more things that I know absolutely nothing about’. I regret that Ali is one of them.
Having now learnt about his predicament I am at a loss to understand why this government has seen fit to spend millions of taxpayer’s dollars on legal arguments over Mr Zhouai (an Algerian muslim with distinctly doubtful credentials and a who destroyed his false passport and papers on an aircraft before landing at Mangere) while Mr Panah (who has an overwhelmingly stronger case for refugee status) has been languishing, quietly and unnoticed by the media, in Mt Eden Prison. This appears to be another example of political correctness gone mad – bending over backwards to appease a religionist whose brothers are (apparently) ensuring their place in paradise by killing and maiming my fellow Britons on the London Underground. I do not understand the mental processes involved.
And I am a dissenter from all known religions ! As a secular humanist I would ask Helen Clark (another humanist) to intervene without further delay on Mr Panah’s behalf.

What’s the rush!. In the scale of justice, his life weighs more than a closed file by the Bureau of Immigration . Why does the Government want to export him? I haven’t seen any media reports of the case or what court has sentenced him to return to Iran, or why his cause hasn’t appeared in our courts. Maybe he should appeal to ‘Fair Go”. That program seems to get results, or is it just the glare of publicity that moves this government?

Cunlifffe, what would your father say?

May God’s justice, compassion and mercy triumph over legalism and the government’s bewildering indifference to this man’s plight.

I strongly support this petition!
What have we become as a country that we would treat another human being in this way.
I have no doubt that this man, if given the chance to stay in N.Z. would be an excellent citizen, working, paying his taxes and a good example to others.
Give him a chance. Treat him as you yourself would want to be treated – with mercy and compassion.

Young parents can feel very isolated in todays society. Many live a great distance from their family and extended family. Families are usually smaller and they may not have had experience with younger siblings, neices/nephews etc.

I feel the young need to learn about being good parents. Not only to be good parents but how to build good relationships. To communicate and how to resolve differences in a positive way. In communities the neighbours who could help, the networking among the mothers has largely disappeared because so many mothers are working. Our weekends have largely disappeared because many businesses are open Saturday and maybe Sunday. Many activities have shifted from Saturday to Sunday.Quality family time together has almost disappeared in some instances. Grandparents if they are available could be working. Advice and incouragement from high profile New Zealanders could be an avenue we could investigate. John Kirwan speaking on television about his mental health had remarkable results.

In the past plunket nurses visited homes for a period and babies were taken to see them more frequently. More potentially disfunctional families are not being spotted early enough when help could be given. Older women in the community being paired with families as ‘Grandmothers’ is a very good idea.

We need to spend much more money. If we don’t spend money on families when their children are very young, and on teaching the young about caring for each other and their children we are going to spend much more on them when they are older.

We need to plan strategies on keeping the young out of prison rather than planning where we are going to build new ones.Prison would be a good place to teach young men and women about parenting and interactional skills.

The young are the future of our country. How we treat and nuture our young and our elderly is how we as New Zealanders shall ultimately be viewed.by the larger world.

Religion no longer has any part in many peoples lives.All religious groups need to become involved with their communities and not sit back and condemn. Their are many who are already doing this and they are acheiving remarkable results. Their may be less of us but wecan still raise our profile Christianity in particular seems to attract very negative publicity in the media. Somehow we need to turn this around.

We must do something, we are already, but not enough and not with a high enough profile. We are taught to do our good deeds quietly and without publicity, maybe for the sake of our young we need to rethink our strategies.

Show some decent leadership David Cunliffe and use the power you have and exhibit the compassion and generosity you yourself would expect in the same circumstances. Do unto others …

i would implore the government to show compassion to his man

Frederick Ozanam said that, “Justice presupposes a large measure of love.” Justice has to be exercised with compassion , and this man’s situation cries out for such a response.

Show our fellow human some compassion, no one deserves to be treated this way! we have very little understanding of what its really like to live in the world shouldn’t ali Panah be shown some of the luxuary that we live in!

there not criminal to be in jail. i strongly support this petition

This situation is unjust, and needs to be rectified

As a retired priest I am up with what is happening in Muslim countries like Iran. The danger for Ali is all too real.

May the New Zealand Government have compassion on a man in danger of his life should be be sent home. It is hard to understand why the Government, in our name, persists in such inflexibility, when many MPs are members of Amnesty International, which respects the right to practice one’s beliefs in freedom and safety. Ali Panah can do that in New Zealand, but not in Iran.

blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy

Oops, forgot full name for petition. Tess = Teressa Rooney

Reputable people who know Ali are sure he is a Christian. Therefore his fate back in Iran is sealed.Show mercy, David Cunliffe, remembering that all are equal in New Zealand and that he has a moral right to stay.

Christian

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”(Martin Luther King) Our Government is asked to take immediate action to treat Ali Panah justly and compassionately, enabling him to stay in New Zealand.

I have found the level of understanding by our politicians an Immigration Dept officials to be woefully lacking on Islamic issues and politics of the middle east. This is sadly confirmed by Peter Brown’s recent press release on Fri 17.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and do it quickly with at the very least a temporary visa. Please show that Nz is a country that can show some Christian understanding & compassion in this situation.

God bless you Ali for taking a stand in what you believe God is calling you to do. Lots and lots of prayer is going out to you, I hope the government will understand what it means if they send you back to Iran. And if they DO understand it means death, then how can they, in all good conscience, actually send you back?

Show the man some mercy!!

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Mt 5 – 5.

I appeal to you, honorouble minister, to show mercy to Ali Panah. I understand the tremendous pressure you must be undergoing in this and other matters, so I pray that you will be guided by God’s Spirit in making the right decision.

I would urge that we show compassion on this man in his very difficult situation, and not send him back to a place where his future is so uncertain.

Ali’s life must be protected. NZ is the obvius country; I see not why he should be deported to Iran.

Pray justice and mercy for Ali Panah

Ali should be given all the asssitance he needs and the chance to live in freedom

Are we turning into another america by allowing this sort of thing? Jail without charge or trial?
Our national anthem exhorts God to defend NZ and in asking this of Him we should therefore show our mercy and grace to those in time of need.

This is not justice. Whats wrong with issuing a temp visa until the man can safely return? We cannot close our eyes to the situation in other countries.

I would like to add the following:
Minister, when your time is up and you are on your deathbed, will you be able to confidently say you have a clear conscience?

Mercy is the one trait that characterises the human race as human. Please show mercy.

Don’t let this good man die. To show mercy in this instance is not only Christian but it is consistent with the best values of being a New Zealander.

Please save Ali!! I went to church with him in AKL and he is the mose lovely man. Why do we accept convicts into our country but not Ali???

There needs to be another way to deal with this sort of person. 18 months in prison without trial or even published accusation is the stuff of the totalitarian state. Of course, if somebody has terrorist connections he needs to be treated with caution. Unless there can be transparency and the government clearly has a case, then he should be released.

There is a time when compasson for an individual should come before the letter of the law. There is no real reason why this man needs to be returned to a country where his life will most certainly be in danger. The government in the past have sent people back to therir death. Please have compassion.

I wonder how I would feel if I was in his situation??

Freedom!

This man has not been convicted of any criminal offence here in NZ, has supported himself, and become part of his community. He is now likely to die, either here because our Govt will not accept his Christian faith is sincere, or, if sent back to Iran will die because their govt DOES think it’s sincere. We, however, welcome with open arms Muslims who refuse to accept our culture, and are careful not to offend them by proclaiming our Christian heritage. Perhaps Mr Panah would have had more success at becoming a refugee if he had delayed his conversion till after he had been granted that status here.

Let him stay, we have plenty of room. There is no reason to doubt the genuineness of his need, and it doesn’t cost us anything at all.

Freedom Now for Ali Reza Panah. There was a time when as a country we showed compassion for people seeding sanctuary from persecution.
Letting Ali stay would be a positive and compassionate step in the right direction.

Mercy is a virtue.

This man’s detention and threatened deportation is a blight on the human rights record of New Zealand. Show some compassion. Free this man and grant him a visa.

Let Ali stay – as a free man.

It is untrue that the Iranian state has a relatively benign attitude to Christian converts. There has been change since Ahmadinejad became president – there has been a major crackdown on reporters to limit the flow of information on repression. Ahmadinejad himself in a November 2005 meeting with provincial governors promised to “stop Christianity in this country”. Several days later, on November 22, a pastor who was a Christian convert was arrested and murdered. Other converts have been murdered in the past with apparent official approval, but the explicit encouragement by the president for such acts was an escalation of the level of threat faced by Christian converts. Ali Panah must not be sent home.

Ali deserves our compassion.

Don’t send Ali back to Iran – please show some mercy! As an elected Minister in our ‘Christian’ country, can you and our Government send this man back to Iran to face a sure death, with a clear conscience? There must be another way.

We, as Members of the wider Parish of Rangiora – at St Barnabas Anglican Church Woodend, know we represent the people of our Church in asking the members of government of Aotearoa New Zealand and especially the Honourable David Cunliffe, to demonstrate that he actually recognises and supports the many Christian principalled peoples of his own country in exercising compassion and grace on Mr Ali Panah.
New Zealand’s record on humanitarian issues is determined by its government – do not compromise your own people, let alone yourself, in your relationship with God.If you have no relationship with God, then simply treat this man as you would want to be treated, for as a Christian, Ali Panah would not allow this to happen to you.

As a compassionate country blessed with freedom and rich in resources please allow Ali to remain in New Zealand. This would be in keeping with the fourth, unwritten protocol of the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of our country.

I ask our government to please act out of compassionate Christian principles when deciding the fate of Ali

Please free this man

I am most concerned at the NZ government’s attempt to return Mr Ali Paneh to Iran. Amnesty International has affirmed that it would not be safe for him to be returned there as a commited Christian and I am in no doubt that he would targeted for his faith and killed.
Can you tell me what possible justification you have for his deportation? He has the support of his employer. Church and community and would be no burden on the taxpayer if he were allowed to remain here.
I urge you to reconsider his case most urgently and act with justice and compassion. Let this man remain in NZ.

Patricia Crangle

They will know us by the way we love one another….

Dear Minister
This man will be in very real danger of losing his life if he goes back to this Muslim country having converted from the Muslim faith to Christianity.

This danger is not being exaggerated just read the relevant data coming out of Muslim countries.
Please have mercy
Eric Holman
Greymouth
Westland

Compassion is a Christian virtue and Christ-like and we are to walk in His steps and show mercy.

It si important that Ali be aloud to stay in New Zealand for his safety. Many Christians are persecuted in Iran and other Islamic countries. Also Ali could be a good voice between Muslim and Christian cultures in the future. Let him stay!

To return Ali Panah to Iran is to return him to certain death. Iran is noted for its religious intolerance of non-Muslims. Christians are not the only religious group facing persecution and death. In Iran the Zoroastrians and the Bahai Community have suffered for generations.

Iran also rounds up and arrest people suspected of being homosexual. Victims caught are usually put to death. In light of this human abuse and total disregard of human rights, I think it would be criminal for the NZ govt. to send Ali Panah back to Iran.

Let this man live peacefully in NZ please

This situation is not a ‘policy’ matter. It is about a human life. May the Hon. minister act with integrity and compassion.

Show Mercyand Christan compassion Pray for Ali

It is appalling that New Zealand government refuses to keep a refuge in the country although Amnesty International has totally different guide lines for these kind of situations.

Hon David Cunliffe – don’t let this man die. Be honourable – Free Ali Panah! And free the other Iranians that you have thrown into jail!

.

Nobody should be forced to return to a country where they can expect to be tortured or killed. It is a disgrace to New Zealand that Ali Panah has been forced to hunger strike to get such a message across.

Just how far will the government go to prove that God doesn’t exist? It’s fighting an inane and losing battle.

Let us be compassionate.It is well known that the price for converting to Christianity is most Muslim countries is death. Why has Ali not been given a hearing?

Shame on a government that is willing to deport a refugee to a country where he faces almost certain death.

I’m praying for Ali Panah’s life and that the New Zealand government will be just and show mercy.

Given the analysis of Amnesty International that Ali Panah will face possible torture and the probability of a death sentence on his return to Iran, I believe it is clear that most New Zealanders would wish to avoid responsibility for placing him in the position where he is at the mercy of that justice system. I believe that is this case New Zealand should weigh up the risk that we will be swamped with converts to Christianity in the future, against the probability that anyone from Iran would choose to move so far from home, or would go to such lengths to escape the Iranian regime if it is purely an economic or lifestyle migration. I think in this case I think a mass influx of Iranians in New Zealand following the granting of refugee status to Mr Panah is laughably unlikely.
However, the likelihood of our being responsible for his torture and judicial murder on return to his home country is a horrifying reality.
Please make mercy and generosity the standards for this case, rather than self-protection or an obedience to the letter of the law which does not take into consideration the value of leniency in this particular case.

“Compassion, compassion, compassion.”

the facade of New Zealand’s support for human rights is dying, and if we don’t stand up, so will an innocent man!

.

.

Dear Minister,

As you are aware, Iranian Christian convert Ali Panah is being held, possibly in handcuffs, at Auckland Hospital.

While you are reading this, Ali lies in a hospital bed, physically incapacitated from a hunger-strike that has now lasted over a month. Because nobody is listening, Ali’s hunger-strike will endure. This means that by the time you finish reading this, Ali could be dead.

Ali’s difficulty is that he is a Christian convert, and the Holy Q’uran is very clear on the matter of religious conversion. While genuinely preaching the creed of tolerance, the Q’uran states that rejecting the word of Islam is wholly unforgivable. Despite recent allegations by New Zealand First MP Peter Brown that Iranian asylum seekers routinely “rort the system by converting to Christianity”, Ali converted to Christianity while still in Iran. He has not claimed Christianity as leverage to assist his refugee application.

I urge you to grant Ali Panah humanitarian dispensation due to the fact he faces imminent persecution or death if deported to Iran.

Yours sincerely,
Shaun McGirr

Please allow Ali freedom, respect and a life in New Zealand.

Please grant Ali Panah the right to remain in NZ. I have grave fears he will be in danger should he be deported back to the Islamist State of Iran

Hon.D. Cunliffe, as the Minister responsible for the well-being, and very life of Ali Panah, I urge you to justice and compassion
Earlier this year your Govt. committed itself to the Religious Diversity Statement. This case clearly falls withiin the korowai or mantle of this
Please allow time for an innocent man’s case to be fairly sorted.
His future and our reputation for justice and fairness are at stake

Under Shari’a’ Law which exists in Iran, Ali and any other person who leaves the Islamic faith is automatically subject to the death penalty.
All Christians in Iran suffer persecution which is well documented.

Iranian Ministry of Islamic Guidance stated the government’s official position on Christians in Iran, “From now on either we kill all of you quietly or we make your lives so difficult that you will have no choice but to leave the country.” ISIC Bulletin, December 1996 p.2

All human rights in Iran are conditional
Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam CDHI 1990:
Art. 24 states that all rights contained in this declaration are “Subject to the Islamic shari’a’.
Art. 25 states that the Shari’a’ “is the only source of reference for the explanation or clarification of this Declaration”.

…….

.

“whenever you did this for one of the least important of these my brothers and sisters of mine you did it for me.”

.

I have been thinking of Ali every day and praying that he will be allowed to stay in New Zealand. .

Dear Minister

We are supposed to be a first world “civilised” and forward-thinking nation
yet through our law we seem to have no flexibility to save a man asking for
his human rights to be a Christian in his own nation. Ali Panah states that
his people will condemn him most likely to death if he continues in his
faith while residing over in Iran. His family don’t want anything to do with
him since they found out about him being a Christian! Does this not suggest
that further investigation is warranted??!!

We are so blessed here in New Zealand and we have no right to sit back and
enjoy life to its full unless we aim to use our freedom of life as a tool to
encourage and bless others. I hope that when the day comes when I die I can
say that on my deathbed. How can I also relish and enjoy my freedoms when I
know that my likeminded brothers and sisters of this nation could
potentially allow a man to be condemned to death? This is why I write to you
Minister and ask you to consider my, as well as many others’ requests for
Ali Panah’s human rights, freedom and safety.

I am not looking at encouraging him to necessarily stay here in NZ – we do
have laws that must be upheld but as a first-world nation we should help
assist him and his family in every way possible to prevent the compromise of
their safety whether it be hearsay or not. Sending Ali back to Iran at this
stage I believe would be unwise, especially after all of the media attention
he has received recently. This could be like “pointing a bone to himself”
as someone here could leak information to appropriate sources over in Iran!
I understand that you Minister have been looking into Ali’s case and I am
very grateful for this. Sure the Iranian government might say that it is
safe for Christians to reside in Iran but from my sources – a monthly prayer
newsletter for Christian workers throughout the world, it seems that “the
right hand does not know what the left is doing!” The testimonies of this
newsletter suggest that secret extremist groups often working under
potential governmental or influential forces are responsible for creating
communities of fear, lack of quality and loss of life for Christians – This
is true for many countries in the world still! Naturally if these extremist
groups occur in secret whether they are related to the Iranian Govt or not
they will obviously yield no proof to the assassinations or persecutions of
Christians in Iran. So in conclusion the Iranian Government will obviously
have nothing to report to our Govt on this issue. I repeat these are
international crimes done in secret! We only have to observe nearby
countries, Iraq, Israel, Beirut, etc to witness the division religion causes
and its powerful influence over Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities.
Please Minister prayerfully (even with an attitude of meditation if you are
not a faith believer as this is what the act of prayer is about) be very
wise and follow the instincts of your heart on this issue of Christian
safety in Iran as they are most likely to be correct!

Could our nation also try to intervene with Iranian officials so that people
of the future of Iran will be able to look forward to having a democratic
society and be able to exercise their human rights? That would be the
solution to the bigger issue here. This is not just an issue with Christians
but all minority groups over there I am sure! The Muslim school of thought
is very dominant obviously there. Iranian women in our modern age are still
oppressed and have little voice to my understanding. With old world views
such as these still existing I would be very cautious about my decision to
believe that practising Christians are safe in Iran. The promotion of
Christianity challenges and breaks down the heart of Muslim faith and
community as people convert. Surely that must be of concern for Muslims
living in Iran. Minister, the leaders of NZ need to rethink the Iranian
Govt’s claims that Christians are well treated in Iran again! If you were
in the same shoes as Ali Panah would you feel confident or hesitant with the
possible prospect of harm to yourself and family? Faithful, bible believing
disciples do not make stories like this up as true practising Christians
believe that they are accountable to a higher power – namely God for every
action, thought and word we say!

We are rarely ever lucky to get a similar opportunity to do things right a
second time so we should try to be successful with the first opportunity
that arrives so please be considerate and hopefully compassionate of your
views towards these issues. In the spirit of the suffragettes and as a
committed Christian myself I desire that one day our nation will be known as
a beacon of hope for ourselves and the world. Being a mother has made me
appreciate what is really important in life these days. Freedom has to be a
virtue to embraced and share with others.

Thank you Minister for your time and thoughtful (hopefully , prayerful)
consideration.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Tina Ngataierua.

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may those in authority have wisdom
and give more time for careful consideration of this man well being.

Please reconsider sending Mr Panah back to Iran

I add my support & prayers to the many others who are willing to support Ali in staying here in New Zealand and given a chance to prove himself.

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Please have mercy and let Ali Panah stay!!!

Where are those who want to set up a political party with “Chistian values’ on this issue? They should be having the matter raised in Parliament.

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Please allow Ali Panah to stay. We support this petition

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Dear Minister
think that you could be Ali.
What would you wish the Minister decides for you?
Global Rights! and Borders No!

I agree that he should be allowed to stay in NZ until a safe place has been found for him to live. If he is in fear of his life if he goes back then he should not be sent back. Sending him back would be on a par with sending a woman or child in this country back into an abusive situation. There needs to be some consistency with how we treat all people whether they are citizens of NZ or not.

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I support this petition.

NZ has become the home of many who have escaped from oppression and looking for a new life over the years. Ali should be allowed to stay.

In the 12 months before he was frogmarched to prison, Ali worked as a drainlayer’s labourer. I’ve been fortunate enough to speak to his former boss, who tells me he had come to respect Ali as an honest, sincere, endlessly helpful guy. The boss (who is not a Christian) recalls Ali often attempting to share his faith with his workmates, and reading his Bible during his lunchbreaks. It’s a mark of the respect that this boss holds for Ali that he has continued to visit him in prison.

August23th,2007

Keep praying for this Christian man

We declare the right to stay in freedom for every refugee everywhere in the world!

Minister: Your Government shown more compassion to other migrants with less reason to fear return to their home country. Please do so in this case.

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It is an indictment on our country that this petition should even be necessary.

Ali is our brother in Christ, he is a member of Christ’s body, and when one member suffers, the whole body suffers with it. Please, grant him a visa to stay, give him the opportunity to live in this country, do not let him starve to death.

I am ashamed to be a New Zealander if the government returns Ali to Iran with the expectation for him of torture and death. What has happened to compassion?

Nothing is invaluable than life. What would you replace with your life under the sun? Life does not have a draft. Whatever we are making him to live that becomes a part of his life. Nothing else. Who would enjoy to live his life or just a similar life to his right now? Please, let us put ourselves in his shoes. Sending this man back home is just burrying him alive. Going through what he has been going through is not a matter of jock – it is between life and death – this is more serious than you think. Coming to NZ is a releave for him as, I believe, he probably know that NZ is a safe place where Christians can freely adore their God and build up their faith without intimidation or frustraction. Sending him back it is equal to pushing someone out from heaven and sending him to hell. We are all proud of NZ and the reputation of this paradise (NZ) is worldwide highly known. It is true that rules exist. Can’t this case be an exception; just for God’s love? God bless NZ – God defend NZ

I would also like to support this man’s petition to stay in NZ. He most certainly will face severe persecution if not death if forced to return to Iran. Please put yourselves in his shoes. Imagine yourselves in his situation and act with compassion.

Please immigration at least look further into his situation. Don’t bring shame on this country by sending him back to be murdered. Put yourself in his shoes and ask yourself how you will feel if you are told you must return to a country that will torture you, imprison you and eventually kill you. Please remember you are blessed because you were born a kiwi but don’t forget you could have easily been born anywhere else in the world and you did nothing to deserve your birth in NZ (just God’s grace). You people of immigration have been given this job from God Himself and He and NZ are trusting you.

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Regardless of whether he is Christian or not, his basic right to freedom has been violated. No person, regardless of their nationality or religious views, should be put in this situation

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Please consider the status of this man as a Christian going back to an Islamic state – it seems to me in light of the culture in Iran it is highly likely this man’s life will be endangered if he is to return. Important to consider the social differences of our cultures….

If ever there was a genuine of the need for assylum this is it.

This man deserves Christian treatment in a christian country.

With a heavy heart I admit to be a New Zealander ! Our Government denies we are a Christian Country but what a way to prove it ! Letting a Christian die because of his beliefs and wanting to be a free man ,in a
country likes ours , is beyond comprehension. This Government is certainly not keen to be re-elected. The Lord be with you, Ali Panah. You are a very brave man.

to be a Christian in a Muslim country is a death sentence and this dear brother should be given the benefit of the doubt as God as his witness that he is telling the truth.

If Ali gets sent back to Iran and is killed, isn’t his blood on our government’s hands? Surely they know he may face death on his return. This doesn’t make any sense to me. If they know and don’t care then this most likely will cause major outrage at this huge injustice. I’m sure that I’ll be feeling that way.

1) Free Ali and Amir immediately with PR status
2) More people are reaching the correct understanding that your policies are class-based and racist. Stop all union support for the Labour Party. We need a real working class alternative

I am a member of the recently formed James Hargest College Amnesty International group in Invercargill – we are eagre for suggestions or requests concerning anything we can do to help

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Death to apostates is a fact of sharia law in several countries. Sharia law also calls for death to gay men and ‘adulterers’ (often actually raped women).

As a feminist, atheist and supporter of gay rights I call our government to stand strongly of liberal values. This means helping this apostate to escape sharia law.

BTW, Critical analysis of a dictatorial theocracy is not ‘islamophobia’, or ‘racism’. It is correct support of our liberal and democratic values.

Kia Ora – it seems obvious to me that Ali is a refugee, and therefore should not be incarcerated, but given the opportunity to experience freedom, and the basic human rights accorded to us all in NZ. Please release him from prison and let him get on with life – he deserves it!

Best of luck to you Ali, and I hope you get to be successful in your struggle for justice. Thank you also to the church for the love and support for Ali.

Micah 6: 8 reads:
‘He has told you, O mortal, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’

I think my comments may be a bit late as i have opened this up on the last day of August.
I am amazed that Ali has been imprisoned.he needs to be able to stay in this country . What are the authorities thinking of to have hin treated in this way?

What would Jesus have done – go and do likewise. Have mercy on him.

NZ was an international leader in establishing the human rights framework that the world relies upon today, through the passing of the UDHR in 1948.
May those of you elected representatives who are today responsible for making decisions to uphold or quash the human rights of others, honour the memory of Peter Fraser and his colleagues by continuing New Zealand’s leadership in this area.

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Ali Panah needs our help. Thousands of muslims now are having dreams and visions of Jesus and this was predicted in the bible. They turn to Isa (Jesus) despite the horrors they see done to their people by so called christians.I pray for them with tears in my eyes.If Ali is sent back and killed? Or if Ali dies of starvation? Please be strong Ali and know that God is with you in your persecution. My heart goes out to you.

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While I agree with the Government that we must be sure that
refugeess’ are in fact refugees’ from religious persecution I see no reason why we can not extend a visa to these people until it is safe for them to return to their own Country. We do not need to extend citizenship – nor should their children be made citizens by reason of birth. Visa’s should be issued to children born in New Zealand.

This makes me ashamed to be a Kiwi … to David Cunliffe – I last saw you worshipping in an Anglican Church – what happened?

Please show compassion towards this man. It is obviously not safe for him to go home. Let him have a temporary visa.

This man must be allowed to stay.

It doesn’t take a genius to realise that Ali’s life would be in danger if he returned to Iran. As such, New Zealand would be basically helping to pull the trigger if it sent him back. In a country where human rights are considered very important, I am stunned that this is even an option.

.If Ali dies, we are no better than iran, a country whose human rights record we deplore, This man must be allowed to stay until the issue is resolved. Please treat him as you would want to be treated-allow him to stay.

If Ali dies our immiration minister should be held for murder

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I believe that people should be granted refugee status under UN conventions that we have signed, if they will be threatened with death on return to their home country. Clearly Mr Panah is in this situation and should be permitted to remain in NZ
What sort of humanity do we subscribe to in this country that we cannot open our doors to someone in this situation

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From: David Blaker
Date: Sun Sep 2, 2007 8:49:44 PM Pacific/Auckland

Subject: hunger strike vigil

We are asking you to consider being part of a silent vigil in support on a man who is presently near death in the 51st day of his hunger strike in Mount Eden Prison.

Ali Panah is a former Iranian. He worked in Auckland for 18 months, then had his application for asylum rejected.
He converted from Islam to Christianity a number of years ago.
He has a well-founded belief that he will be killed if deported back to Iran: Islam does not tolerate conversion

His Vicar, The Rev Clive Sperring, and Archbishop David Moxon, and Archbishop Brown Turei, and Social Justice Commissioner Rev Dr Anthony Dancer, all have no doubt that Ali’s faith is genuine.

Ali may die soon.
We are calling for as many as possible to support him.
If we are present in our hundreds and thousands it will mean a great deal to Ali, and may well influence the course of events.

Where: at the Normanby Road entrance to Mount Eden Remand Prison (do not go down the side road onto prison property, as this may constitute trespass)
When: Monday 3rd September 2007, followed by Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Times: between 5 pm and 6 pm, (or for as long as you are able)
What: a vigil of silent presence and silent prayer.
(We will not be noisy, not obstruct traffic, and not have placards.)

(Please park legally, even if this entails walking some distance to get there. Carpool or bus if possible
If you work anywhere near Khyber Pass Rd or Newmarket, no problem)

We would like Ali to know he has the support of thousands outside the prison gates.
We may also pray for his physical and spiritual well-being.
We also hope that the Minister of Immigration will exercise mercy and compassion, and grant Ali life.

Please forward this email to as many as possible, today, especially if you are not able to be there.
Please regard this as a matter of extreme urgency. Another few days may be too late.

thank you,
David and Jeannie

Sunday 2 Sept 2007

Matthew 5: 10, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “

Search your heart – what is justice?

Never before has the world needed so desperately a new style of leadership – one based on love, compassion and humility.

If nothing else Ali has shown how far we are from this in Aotearoa.

Ali – I hope you are freed. You are welcome in our home. Kia kaha – be strong.
Whangarei

Please show compassion now.

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Clemency is needed for this man.
Grant him a temporary visa so he (and others like him) can get back to health and prove over time that he is a good potential citizen of NZ.
New Zealand has a responsibility to show clemency. Afterall, life is short for all of us.

It is to be hoped that any residual “terrorist” paranoia will not be a factor in coming to a decision in this man’s case. Too often in the contemporary world is justice, compassion and humanity supppressed by this “national security” line!
The threat to life is a very real fear for him. But even the lesser evil of being made a pariah in one’s neighbourhood – being despised, shunned, spat upon – is no quality of life for anyone trying to live his or her genuinely-held faith. Our government (on behalf of all fair-minded New Zealanders) should not condemn Ali Panah to this.

One persons live is equally as valuable as millions.

Working with refugees in the UK I met many Christian converts who had been persecuted and tortured in Iran. I fully support Ali in his desperate attempts to avoid this fate.

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Having lived for a number of years in Saudi Arabia, where the strict prohibition on all religions except Islam is part of the legal code (for example, term of imprisonment without trial merely for being in possession of a Bible) and where apostatates are put to death, it is so obvious that Iran is implementing the same code of religious intolerance. I am astonished that New Zealand’s Minister for Immigration is apparently totally ignorrant of this (or doesn’t care?)
There is no doubt that to send Ali Panah back to Iran would be a grave danger of being put to death.

Please accept Ali Panah to live here as a new born christian

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Look at the facts: Ali is a genuine Christian. He will suffer probable persecution if returning to Iran. We can show him compassion and allow him to stay as a citizen of Aotearoa.
Please do so, before it is too late.
Peter Murnane

With respect, Hon David Cunliffe,

Even at this late stage the life of Ali Panah can be spared. I implore you to show leadership of the highest order as a New Zealander and extend mercy to this man as a refugee in our country.

I have met Ali and he is a very fine and gentle young man whose faith in Christ could put many of us to shame. He simply just wants to be free from the tyranny of persecution. Ali would be an asset to this country and unlike many others he wants to work and make contribution to the country. Give him a break give him a visa!

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COMPASSION SHOWS THE BEST IN THE HUMAN CONDITION AND THIS MAN HAS SHOWN HIMSELF TO BE A GOOD HARDWORKING CITIZEN AND SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY

I urge the Minister to use his position to allow Mr Panah to remain in New Zealand. I believe that he will be persecuted if he returns to Iran.

Many other people are granted permission to live in this country, why should a man of firm belief, and a pillar of the community for 18months be removed to his death.
send him back and he dies.
in other words, we call sending someone to their death ‘Murder”

Even though letting him stay goes against migration policies, I think that sometimes you have to give an individual the benefit of the doubt. We want to be known as a country that supports human rights and social justice. Letting Ali stay in New Zealand will help to furhter this perception

Ali Panah is our “neighbour” in urgent need. It is time we showed him that we are people of justice and compassion.

Auckland Catholic Justice and Peace Office
Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand

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Immigration laws at present seem to fall more heavily on some people than others. I would like to support Ali Panah’s right to freedom and would encourage the authorities to be generous and compassionate in his case.

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This modist petition which is backed by a community of people commited to support Mr Panah deserves a reappraisal of the options open to the Minister of Immigration.

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Dear Minister

Please do whatever you can to ensure that Mr Panah is not put in a position where his life is threatened.

Kind regards

Tim McKenzie

Does the government not care about the death of innocents. Obviously there are special circumstances for people facing death for religion. He should stay in NZ to protect his LIFE, we are handing him his death sentence by sending him home

Please investigate the real risks that this man may face if deported and review your decision with a view to being compassionate.

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It is disappointing to find that the New Zealand government continues to put other people’s security concerns (War on Terror etc) before the genuine and proven humanitarian needs of those seeking asylum in our country. Ali is one of several in this situation, which will be made worse with the passage of the immigration bill currently before Parliament.

My prayers are that Ali Panah to be allowed justice in this country of ours, and that his faith in God not diminish.
I also pray for you ,as the Minister of Imigration to act in a christian manner toward our “Brother in Christ

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Please show this man some compassion – let him live.
Demonstrate our basic kiwi value – give him a fair go.

What has the New Zealand government been threatened with that it has to slavishly obey the orders of the UK, USA and Australia?

New Zealand was always called God’s Own Country. Let it therefore obey only Higher Orders