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Return to face fatwa
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| Namassiwayam Ramalingum, a newspaper editor currently in South Croydon, has lost his right to remain in the UK after nine years in the country and qualifying as a barrister |
A Croydon man fears the Home Office is about to make him return to a country where he is under a religious fatwa and the threat of death.
Namassiwayam Ramalingum has been refused his appeal to have his resident status reinstated after temporarily leaving the UK in 1993 to work in his native country for 18 months.
Mr Ramalingum, 61, editor of the Mauritius newspaper L'Independent from 1993 to 1995,
provoked 5,000 Islamic fundamentalists into declaring at fatwa against him after publishing an article about the life of the prophet Muhammad.
His home, offices and printing press were fire-bombed and mass protests were held against his newspaper. Fearing for the safety of himself and his family, Mr Ramalingum fled back to England under police escort, where, upon arrival, he was told he did not have the correct documents to take up his right to return.
The documents, he claimed, were misplaced in the fires and so he was unable to produce the original letter sent to him by the Home Office confirming his British residency.
He said, upon his return to Mauritius later in 1995 he and his family were forced to live in hiding for fear of attack. He had gone back to clear up the issues surrounding the "death sentence" that had publicly been placed on his head.
| “I am astonished that the Home Office is being difficult about Mr Ramalingum’s case. There was a clear threat to press freedom in Mauritius and I fully support his appeal for his right to reside in the UK.” | | Richard Ottaway |
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Mr Ramalingum said: "I ran an article depicting the life of the prophet Muhammad at the same time our paper was running a series of articles on corruption in Mauritius involving Muslim extremists. At a meeting of 5,000 fanatical Muslim fundamentalists, a fatwa was declared against me. I had to walk around with two armed police escorts everywhere."
He added: "I have shown that I wish to settle here since 1970, I have a family here."
A Home Office spokesman said: "Any applications received by the Border and Immigration Agency are considered on a case by case basis taking into account all the individual circumstances."
Richard Ottaway, MP for Croydon South, has taken up Mr Ramalingum's cause. He said: "I am astonished that the Home Office is being difficult about Mr Ramalingum's case. There was a clear threat to press freedom in Mauritius and I fully support his appeal for his right to reside in the UK."
11:33am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Brit Cit, Croydon on 1:44pm Wed 26 Mar 08
The fact that this man went back after hehis comment were published, shows he has no fear of persecution in Mauritus. SEND HIM BACK
The fact that this man went back after hehis comment were published, shows he has no fear of persecution in Mauritus. SEND HIM BACK
Posted by: brit cit, Croydon on 1:47pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Also, it would be interesting to know what qualifications the MP has in immigration to give him the right to fight for this man
Also, it would be interesting to know what qualifications the MP has in immigration to give him the right to fight for this man
Posted by: Stephanie, USA on 3:05pm Wed 26 Mar 08
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god's law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam's prophet, Muhammed.
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god's law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam's prophet, Muhammed.
Posted by: dolly, croydon on 3:07pm Wed 26 Mar 08
U MARGINAL SWAY MIASMA MAN
U MARGINAL SWAY MIASMA MAN
Posted by: Croyboy on 5:16pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Mr Ramalingum said: [quote]I have shown that I wish to settle here...[/quote]
Perhaps, but just about every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the (Third) world would "wish to settle here" given half a chance.
I'm with Brit Cit: [bold]Send him back![/bold]
Mr Ramalingum said:
I have shown that I wish to settle here...
Perhaps, but just about every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the (Third) world would "wish to settle here" given half a chance.
I'm with Brit Cit:
Send him back!Posted by: Brit Cit, Croydon on 1:13pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Stephanie[/bold] wrote:
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god's law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam's prophet, Muhammed.[/quote] He knew what he was doing when he wrote the article and he knew the consequences. There are plenty of people who deserve protection, for no fault of their own. This man has put himself in this position and therefore should be allowed to face the music. I also wonder how much support the MP would give should the Fatwa be extended to those who support this man??? I sence a large amount of backpeddling would be in order!!!
Stephanie wrote:
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god's law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam's prophet, Muhammed.
He knew what he was doing when he wrote the article and he knew the consequences. There are plenty of people who deserve protection, for no fault of their own. This man has put himself in this position and therefore should be allowed to face the music. I also wonder how much support the MP would give should the Fatwa be extended to those who support this man??? I sence a large amount of backpeddling would be in order!!!
Posted by: Brit Cit, Croydon on 1:15pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Stephanie[/bold] wrote:
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god\\\'s law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam\\\'s prophet, Muhammed.[/quote] He knew what he was doing when he wrote the article and he knew the consequences. There are plenty of people who deserve protection, for no fault of their own. This man has put himself in this position and therefore should be allowed to face the music. I also wonder how much support the MP would give should the Fatwa be extended to those who support this man??? I sence a large amount of backpeddling would be in order!!!
Stephanie wrote:
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god's law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam's prophet, Muhammed.
He knew what he was doing when he wrote the article and he knew the consequences. There are plenty of people who deserve protection, for no fault of their own. This man has put himself in this position and therefore should be allowed to face the music. I also wonder how much support the MP would give should the Fatwa be extended to those who support this man??? I sence a large amount of backpeddling would be in order!!!
Posted by: E Powell, Croydon on 10:36pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Stephanie[/bold] wrote:
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god's law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam's prophet, Muhammed.[/quote] Trust a septic to get involved. Briatin has become the dumping ground for the world's human flotsam and jetsum. We don't need any advice from a septic on what to do.
[Septic Tank = Yank].
If the septics had kept their noses out of certain matters the world would be a better place.
Stephanie wrote:
The UK should protect him, but the way things stand, you can be killed anywhere by Muslims trying to enforce their supposed god's law if you criticise Islam or even speak the truth about Islam's prophet, Muhammed.
Trust a septic to get involved. Briatin has become the dumping ground for the world's human flotsam and jetsum. We don't need any advice from a septic on what to do.
.
If the septics had kept their noses out of certain matters the world would be a better place.
Posted by: Kamil on 11:32pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Send him back, he is just trying to stay in U.K. There are no such things in Mauritius. Maybe now there will be a fatwa for all the lies he told.
Send him back, he is just trying to stay in U.K. There are no such things in Mauritius. Maybe now there will be a fatwa for all the lies he told.
Posted by: Paul Mootoo, South Croydon on 12:03am Fri 28 Mar 08
His newspaper supports a small section of the rich hindus and Tamils. He used Hindu and Tamil communalism in his bid to achieve political power. Always had a hint of communalism in his articles. Targetted prominent Muslims for character assasination. Attacked the writer of the novel - The Rape of Sita - Burned three Catholic newspapers at a religious meeting in Hindu House(the second parliament of Mauritius ) IS THIS THE MAN YOU WANT TO KEEP IN U.K. LET HIM GO AND FACE THE MUSIC.
DEPORT HIM NOW......
His newspaper supports a small section of the rich hindus and Tamils. He used Hindu and Tamil communalism in his bid to achieve political power. Always had a hint of communalism in his articles. Targetted prominent Muslims for character assasination. Attacked the writer of the novel - The Rape of Sita - Burned three Catholic newspapers at a religious meeting in Hindu House(the second parliament of Mauritius ) IS THIS THE MAN YOU WANT TO KEEP IN U.K. LET HIM GO AND FACE THE MUSIC.
DEPORT HIM NOW......
Posted by: Simon, South Croydon on 1:21am Fri 28 Mar 08
So am I to understand that he is immune to the fatwa in the UK?
If one of the 5,000 flies in to Heathrow I am sure that they will be caught out when they tell immigration that their purpose for visiting the UK is niether business nor pleasure but "to complete the fatwa against Mr Ramalingum".
Religion really has a lot to answer for. I am sure that Muhammad would be extremely upset to learn that people are being killed in his name. He probably would have left a few more sentences saying no if he had known!
So am I to understand that he is immune to the fatwa in the UK?
If one of the 5,000 flies in to Heathrow I am sure that they will be caught out when they tell immigration that their purpose for visiting the UK is niether business nor pleasure but "to complete the fatwa against Mr Ramalingum".
Religion really has a lot to answer for. I am sure that Muhammad would be extremely upset to learn that people are being killed in his name. He probably would have left a few more sentences saying no if he had known!
Posted by: Bob Peel, Croydon on 5:20am Fri 28 Mar 08
"IS THIS THE MAN YOU WANT TO KEEP IN U.K. LET HIM GO AND FACE THE MUSIC.
DEPORT HIM NOW......"
Perhaps something melodious from Lata Mangeshkar, or perhaps the late Mukesh?
"IS THIS THE MAN YOU WANT TO KEEP IN U.K. LET HIM GO AND FACE THE MUSIC.
DEPORT HIM NOW......"
Perhaps something melodious from Lata Mangeshkar, or perhaps the late Mukesh?
Posted by: Law of Solomon, High above Croydon on 11:43am Fri 28 Mar 08
LoS reads between the lines of this story and sees more to it...look at the dates! This man left the UK in 1993 to work back "home" for 18 months, then when he returned his documents were not correct. But that was 14 years ago! Has it really taken 14 years for a decision on his status to be made? If so that is the real story here, not the fact that his religion clashes with another. The timescale also suggests that the "fatwa" issued against him could not be that serious as if after 14 years have passed and he is still walking the earth, what real threat do these Fatwas carry. In the opinion of LoS they are nothing more than idle threats similar to "voodoo" or sympathetic magic (Gypsy - sorry, Travelling folk, curses etc.). The Law of Solomon decrees if this man has not tried to invoke religious or racial tension then due to his length of residence in the UK already, should be allowed to stay. Oh by the way E. Powell if the septics (Septic tank – yank) hadn’t “stuck their noses” in, in 1917 and 1941 the world would be a very different place indeed. Thanks septics, from all under the LoS.
LoS reads between the lines of this story and sees more to it...look at the dates! This man left the UK in 1993 to work back "home" for 18 months, then when he returned his documents were not correct. But that was 14 years ago! Has it really taken 14 years for a decision on his status to be made? If so that is the real story here, not the fact that his religion clashes with another. The timescale also suggests that the "fatwa" issued against him could not be that serious as if after 14 years have passed and he is still walking the earth, what real threat do these Fatwas carry. In the opinion of LoS they are nothing more than idle threats similar to "voodoo" or sympathetic magic (Gypsy - sorry, Travelling folk, curses etc.). The Law of Solomon decrees if this man has not tried to invoke religious or racial tension then due to his length of residence in the UK already, should be allowed to stay. Oh by the way E. Powell if the septics (Septic tank – yank) hadn’t “stuck their noses” in, in 1917 and 1941 the world would be a very different place indeed. Thanks septics, from all under the LoS.
Posted by: Higher Law than Soloman, Higher than him on 1:05pm Mon 31 Mar 08
The 14yr rule only counts if he fits certain criteria, which from the fact that he is fighting removal shows that it does not in his case. therefore he is removable. Sadly if he gets a limp wristed ECO officer he'll be back within a month
The 14yr rule only counts if he fits certain criteria, which from the fact that he is fighting removal shows that it does not in his case. therefore he is removable. Sadly if he gets a limp wristed ECO officer he'll be back within a month
Posted by: r ali, london on 1:04am Sat 5 Apr 08
It seems anyone who wants anything out of any Western government has just to create such kind of incitements or incidents and then act the victim of Muslim 'fundamentalists' or whatever such terms mean. I think he is just trying to attract attention and get a right to stay. It is interesting how quickly such issues lead to quick judgements about Islam and Muslims without any in depth idea of what actually happened as with the comments from a US subscriber.
It seems anyone who wants anything out of any Western government has just to create such kind of incitements or incidents and then act the victim of Muslim 'fundamentalists' or whatever such terms mean. I think he is just trying to attract attention and get a right to stay. It is interesting how quickly such issues lead to quick judgements about Islam and Muslims without any in depth idea of what actually happened as with the comments from a US subscriber.
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