A huge campaign to stop the deportation of a church caretaker who feared for his life if sent back to Pakistan appears to have worked - for the time being.
Azeem Wazir was due to be deported back to Pakistan on May 10, andChristian campaigner in Bristol fears he'll be murdered if deported back to Pakistan was swiftly set up by leaders at the church where he works in Bristol.
After the petition was signed by thousands of people in just 36 hours, and backed by the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, it appears to have succeeded - in the short term at least.
Mr Wazir is being held in an immigration detention centre after he was told his application for asylum in Britain had failed and he was detained.
Christian campaigner in Bristol fears he'll be murdered if deported back to Pakistan
Leaders of the campaign, which is being co-ordinated out of the Woodlands Church in Cotham, said they have now been notified Mr Wazir has been told he will have a bail hearing on May 14, which appears to mean the threat of his deportation back to Pakistan has been deferred or postponed, and won’t take place tomorrow.
Mr Wazir fled Pakistan after threats to his safety were made, and a fatwa issued condemning him for his campaign to stop the continuing persecution of Christians in Pakistan by Islamic fundamentalists.
Mr Wazir is an active member of the Asia Bibi campaign, which is calling for protection for Christians in the majority Muslim country.
He continued to campaign here in Bristol, and joined Woodlands Church and became an active volunteer and member of the community here.
"Bristol is my home" - man still fearing deportation to Kenya after four months on bail
But back in Pakistan, his family home was threatened, and he told supporters that he feared for his life if he returned. He said he would almost certainly be arrested under recently-toughened blasphemy laws there.
Supporters of the campaign to stop his extradition said the petition they began just a couple of days ago had received an ‘amazing’ response.
“Your response to this petition has generated amazing interest on local TV, national newspapers and radio,” said a spokesperson.
“I have had notification of a bail hearing now for Azeem on May 14 and trust that his legal representation will be able to present a fresh strong case to allow right to remain for Azeem in the UK,” he added.
The tiny South West pub serving just one beer and run by 98-year-old from her front room
