Saturday, August 9, 2003

A Request From Mr Mateen Sadiqi

Hello all,
It was great to see you last night and hear your thoughts about what we
might be able to do to work towards Mr Zaoui's release. There were more
people at the meeting than I was able to get email addresses for - if you
know of someone who was at the meeting and whose address I have not
included above, please forward this on to them. Similarly, please feel free
to print off this email and circulate it.

You will recall that a committee was formed at the meeting who will meet
for the purpose of determining specific steps that need to be taken for
action by the wider group. The members of this committee are:  Daud
Ajimullah, Bruce Hucker (chair), Jenny Chalmers, Wahib Zaza, Hashem
Slaimankhel, Chris Loughman, and Brenda Stone (secretary). If you think
there has been anyone left off this list please let me know.

The committee will meet on Monday evening to discuss the options that came
up, and which are listed below:
- joint letters to Prime Minister, Lianne Dalziel, Chris Carter (Brenda
agreed to draft a letter for the group's approval)
- a joint delegation from the group to meet with the Ministers above
- circulation of information among our communities of contact to inform
people and encourage them to write letters, phone talkback etc.
- the development of a leaflet with key facts, answers to questions, a
summary of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority finding, and suggestions
for action - to be circulated at mosques, churches
- development of a website for informing people
- A joint prayer event across mosques and churches, to be publicised via
the media - perhaps Paul Holmes
- Fundraising for an ad in the NZ Herald, and to help bring key witnesses
back from overseas
- Make representations on behalf of the different faith and interest groups
to meet with MPs, especially Lianne Dalziel, Chris Carter and Helen Clark.
- A petition - circulate at mosques, churches
- A large meeting with representatives from human rights groups, church
groups etc.

The wider group will meet again at the Ponsonby Mosque, 17 Vermont St, at
8pm this Thursday 14th. Feel free to invite other interested people or
groups.

In the meantime, here are some things that you can do right away:

1. Representatives of the Muslim community especially should consider
seeking a personal meeting with Chris Carter - Minister of Ethnic Affairs,
Lianne Dalziel - Minister of Immigration or Helen Clark - Prime Minister.
The Labour Party is concerned to harness the Islamic vote, so it's a great
opportunity to influence these politicians, and to make them nervous about
your organised objection to their current stance.

2. Write letters.
Letters to the Editor of the NZ Herald - send to Box 32, Auckland, Fax 09
373 6421, email
letters@nzherald.co.nz. Letters should be no longer than
200 words. The author's signature is needed on written letters, plus on
written or emailed letters, you need your name, residential addresss and
phone number. No attachments or noms de plume.

Write to Lianne Dalziel (
ldalziel@ministers.govt.nz) and Helen Clark (
pm@ministers.govt.nz) - if sending letters by post, you don't need a stamp,
just address to c/- Parliament Buildings, Wellington. Letters can be as
long or short as you like.

Write to Mr Zaoui himself to express your support, especially if you can
write in his language - send letters c/- Paremoremo Prison, PO Box 50 124,
Albany.

3. Talk to people, and forward on to them the information above.

Sorry this is such a long email!
See you again on Thursday,
Brenda

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