The family had Bradford East MP David Ward on their side and his office took up their case with immigration minister Mark Harper.
Source/Credit:The Telegraph and Argus
By Kathie Griffiths | April 2, 2013
A Muslim missionary and his family who feared being deported to Pakistan have won the right to stay in Bradford as refugees.
Tanweer Akhtar, 47, said the support he received from hundreds of campaigners in Bradford had been crucial.
The family had Bradford East MP David Ward on their side and his office took up their case with immigration minister Mark Harper.
Mr Akhtar also thanked the Telegraph & Argus for reporting his plight after he, his wife Samina and youngest son Usamah were taken from their home in Sewell Road, Laisterdyke, on March 7 and detained at the Yarl’s Wood Removal Centre in Bedfordshire.
Mr Akhtar said: “When the letter arrived recorded delivery we didn’t open it first. The three of us joined hands and prayed. It said we had leave to remain in the UK as refugees. We were filled with emotions and thanks and cried. Every person who put their weight on our side gave us incredible strength.”
There had been fears the family could be imprisoned by the state and their lives could be at risk from persecuting extremist groups including the Taliban if they were sent back to Pakistan – because of their beliefs as members of the Ahmadiyya religious community.
The campaign backing their new asylum claim had gathered massive support from the Bradford Ahmadiyya community, friends and acquaintances from Bradford Immigration and Asylum Support & Advice Network and other groups.
Mr Akhtar had first come to the UK in 2010 on a student visa after his family were attacked in a street.
His youngest son, Usamah, 19, joined him a year later, also on a student visa, and Mr Akhtar’s wife, Samina, came into the country at the same time seeking asylum.
Dr Mohammed Iqbal, president of the Bradford Ahmadiyya community, told the T&A Mr Akhtar was the kind of citizen the city needed. “Tanweer is full of energy and enthusiasm,” he said.
Read original post here: Tanweer Akhtar wins refugee bid to stay in Bradford
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