Pressure on Govt over cleric's fate

CANBERRA - The federal Government is coming under increasing pressure to reject the advice of its domestic spy agency and overturn a deportation order against a Muslim cleric.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has repeatedly refused to disclose the reasons behind its determination to force Mansour Leghaei to leave the country by Friday.

Leghaei's fate now rests with an appeal to Immigration Minister Chris Evans, who can use discretionary powers to override the order.

Leghaei, widely regarded as a moderate Shiite, is being supported not only by Muslims, but also by Christian and community leaders who have described him as a force for good.

Australian politicians and officials have become increasingly frustrated with outspoken Islamic leaders who have publicly advocated violent jihad and support for Muslims fighting against Western forces abroad.

In one case, charges were laid against Iranian-born Sheikh Haron, who allegedly wrote letters to the families of seven Diggers killed in Afghanistan, describing them as criminals and murderers.

But supporters of Leghaei say the cleric, who preaches at the Imam Husain Islamic Centre in the Sydney suburb of Earlwood, is not a radical and is no threat to Australia.

Leghaei arrived in Australia with his wife and four children on a temporary work visa in 1994, and has since been refused permanency after ASIO branded him a threat to national security.

Leghaei has challenged the finding and subsequent deportation order, but has not been able to learn the reasons for ASIO's finding.

In 2005 the Federal Court ruled that national security considerations overruled natural justice or procedural fairness, and the High Court refused to hear an appeal.

Leghaei has now lost his final case before the Immigration Appeals Tribunal and must leave the country.

His wife and one child must leave with him, but the three other children have permanent residency.

Catholic, Anglican and indigenous leaders have been working with Muslims to have the order rescinded, warning the decision was unfair and would cause anger in the community.

Leghaei has received character references from Attorney-General Robert McClelland and a predecessor, Philip Ruddock, and has been praised for his community and interfaith work.

ABC radio described him as a "peace-making sheikh".

One of the Christian leaders supporting Leghaei, Anglican priest Dave Smith, said the sheikh had received more than 1000 letters of support within days of his deportation order.

Smith said a deportation could create bitterness in the community.

"I know how passionate people from the Islamic and non-Islamic communities are about this and the effect it's going to have on us, and on groups in the community which already feel prejudice against them," he said.

Sheik Kamal Mousselmani, head of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council of Australia, told the Australian that it would be hard to replace the multilingual cleric, whose sermons were packed to capacity and broadcast over the internet.

"He can understand the mentality of the youth and can speak with them," he said.

Leghaei told the Australian he had no intention of packing his bags, as ASIO's allegations were false.

"I have never doubted that I am going to win this case, not only because I believe I am innocent and very unfairly treated [but also because] there have been many innocent people before me and after me as well."