More than thirty Moore College students have held an impromptu prayer meeting at the gates of the Villawood Detention Centre, asking God to save the life of an Iranian asylum seeker imprisoned there.
Supporters of Amir Mesrinejad say the former Muslim will face the death penalty under sharia law for converting to Christianity if the department of immigration goes ahead with plans to return him to Iran.
The Department of Immigration has rejected an eleventh hour appeal by federal member for Cook, the Hon. Bruce Baird.
A letter received by Mr Mesrinejad only refers to the threat of execution indirectly:
"The additional information provided, in combination with the information provided previously, does not bring the case within the Minister's Guidelines. Therefore, no further action will be taken."
The Rev. Bruce Hall, long-time friend and rector at St. Paul's Carlingford, believes the federal government is putting a lot of weight in assurances the majority Shi'a Muslim state will not enforce its own laws.
"They have the assurances of the Iranian government that they don't execute people for conversion," Mr Hall says.
However research by the Sydney Diocese' Social Issues Executive reveals the distinct possibility that unofficial retribution could still cost Mr Mesrinejad his life.
Moore College students gathered to protest the government's decision to not intervene in Mr Mesrinejad's case are taking the threat seriously.
Second year student Alistair Chiu has visited the detention centre on several occasions already.
"It could be the last time I see him, so I really want to encourage him," he says.
The Department of Immigration has acknowledged that Mr Mesrinejad's case has resulted in a complaint being lodged with the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT).
UNCAT has requested that the department refrain from removing the asylum seeker from Australia until its complaint has been considered, but Mr Mesrinejad has received no assurances.
First year student Miranda Shepherd says she turned up to not only support Amir, but the Christian witness he is providing at Villawood.
"He's been a great help to the Iranians in the facility," Mr. Hall says. "A very calming influence from what I understand.
Staff at St Paul's Anglican have rejected suggestions Mr Mesrinejad converted to Christianity to improve his immigration prospects, and have offered him a position should he be released.
"We think very highly of him. He's the sort of guy that will definitely be in full-time ministry."
More information:
Deportation death sentence (Sydneyanglicans.net)
Sent home to no home at all (Sydneyanglicans.net)
Detainees who find Christ may be allowed to stay (SMH)
