Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Church,
Nelson Lancashire

If you can help, please do. Spread the word!

Email from Nigel:
" Just managed to find some time today to browse through the church website. Thanks for all the hard work!

We just want to pass on a "BIG THANK YOU" to all our well wishers for their thought and especially their prayers. Do tell them to carry on praying as Christians we only have prayer as our powerful weapon to fight against all odds, and this is all we believe in. "

The situation is one of total hypocrisy from the Home Office who, by their relentless actions in this matter, have defied their own objectives in favour of meeting statistical targets. It is completely outrageous that they have targeted this family who have not only integrated into this region from the word go, but have thousands of people in support of them to promote their genuine case of asylum.

The Home Office in their ignorance have missed the whole point of why Britain allows people to seek asylum in the first place. It is unbelievable that they are continuing to try and deport genuine people and yet do not use half as much vigour in trying to deport the people who really are abusing the system!

The only way that they are going to see that this is actually a real case is if they are killed, but would they even believe it then, seeing as they have ignored the evidence that that is what can and does happen in Pakistan? One member of the family has already been killed there and members of the church in Britain have actually visited the country to investigate faith relations there and reported concern for Christians' safety.

I would ask that people keep the family in their thoughts and prayers and show your support for them. May the fight for true justice for the family continue!

On Thursday 22nd March 2007 a meeting of Pendle Council's executive panel was held at Nelson Town Hall which commenced at 7pm and lasted for approximately 30 minutes. Approximately 300 people attended in support of the Karim family, who were present in the meeting. Crystal and Calvin were seated on the panel on either side of Alan Davies. The council chamber and gallery in which the meeting took place were full to maximum capacity. The Nelson Leader, ITV Granada News and 2BR were also present before the meeting.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Alan Davies, chaired the meeting and opened by outlining the situation of the rejected judicial review. Two of Crystal's friends, who were also seated on the panel, then made a statement to the executive saying that the Karim family should not be allowed to be deported and asked if the Council would notify the Home Office of the meeting's proceedings. Councillor Ann Kerrigan then submitted a motion, stating that the Karim family have been and are an exemplary family to the region and deportation would significantly impact on Crystal and Calvin's academic and future careers. She stated that the Karim family have always been eager to be involved in the local community and they would continue to be valuable assets to the community. For these reasons, she said, asylum should be granted on compassionate grounds. Councillor David Foster then agreed with Councillor Kerrigan and added that a widely representative section of the community was present in the meeting to demonstrate the immense support for the Karim family. These included friends and family of the Karims, Crystal and Calvin's teachers, school friends and some non-executive councillors from other electorates in Pendle. Councillor Alan Davies then proposed a vote of the executive panel for the Karims being allowed to stay in Pendle which was unanimously approved.

The meeting was adjourned by Councillor Davies stating that the Karims had the full support of the Council and that the Home Office will be notified of the meeting's proceedings and be requested that the Karim family be allowed to stay in Pendle on compassionate grounds. He said that the Council would make all the last-ditch attempts they could to allow them to stay.

Nigel, Pearl, Crystal and Calvin Karim, of Barkerhouse Road, have endured a torrid nine months in which a veil of uncertainty has hung over them.

After fleeing Karachi, Pakistan, in 2002 the family moved to Nelson but since May last year they have been fighting a Home Office order for them to be deported.

After several failed attempts their case is now being heard at the High Court by way of a judicial review.

Coun. Ann Kerrigan, who is a staunch supporter of the family, confirmed that it was now crunch time and that the Karim's fate may be known in the next fortnight.

"The Home Office had sent through its response," said Coun. Kerrigan. "And that will be lodged with the High Court, either today or tomorrow. An order is due to be made in the next couple of weeks."

Meanwhile fund-raising efforts through Calvin and Crystal's school, Fisher-More RC High School, Colne, and Catholic churches in Pendle, have allowed much needed money to be raised to help the family pay for legal fees.

Coun. Kerrigan said that more than £600 has been raised at the school and that on Saturday a New Year fair at Christ Church, Nelson, helped raise a further £400, meaning the family has more than £1,000 to put towards their legal costs.

For more information on the family and their campaign to remain in the UK, visit www.holysaviour.org.uk