Travel Ban - Sheikh Shady refused entry to New Zealand - Morrison Govt intervenes on his behalf
Wednesday, 20 March 2019
Key points:
- On Monday Sheikh Shady was told by New Zealand authorities that he was on a list of banned persons and would be refused entry to New Zealand.
- The NZ ban was put in place after Denmark banned Shady from entry.
- Shady immediately went to the Australian Government who "fixed" the ban.
It does beg the question - what aren't we being told about Shady?
Here's the Sydney Morning Herald.
One of Australia's most senior Muslim clerics, Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman, was refused entry to New Zealand following the Christchurch massacre - but the ban was overturned following a complaint to the Australian government.
The revelation will raise questions about why the sheikh was on a New Zealand no-fly list, particularly in light of accusations that Australian security agencies and their international partners are too focused on Islamic extremism compared to right-wing terrorism.
As president of the Australian National Imams Council, Sheikh Shady advises governments on key Islamic issues.
He was due to fly to Christchurch on Monday to assist Islamic communities as they prepare for the grim task of burying the 50 victims of Friday's mass shooting.
However, Sheikh Shady said he was instructed by New Zealand authorities not to go to the airport as he would not be permitted to travel without a special visa.
"I was shocked. It’s sad to see something like this happen, especially during this time of challenges and difficulties," he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Sheikh Shady said he raised the issue with Australian government officials within the Home Affairs department, and was granted a special visa within 24 hours on Tuesday.
In 2016, Sheikh Shady was widely condemned for his views on homosexuality after video surfaced in which he said homosexuality was responsible for "spreading all these diseases".
It was in the immediate aftermath of the sheikh attending an Iftar dinner with at Kirribilli House as a guest of then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Turnbull denounced the views as "unacceptable".
A law introduced by Denmark in April last year banned certain preachers, including Sheikh Shady, from entering the country. Denmark also banned women wearing the burqa in public.
Immigration New Zealand confirmed Sheikh Shady was refused entry to the country due to a ban placed on him by Denmark last year.