Passing away after some fifty years at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, Fifi is mourned.
But what of those who do not mourn? What of those who feel dissociated and disconnected from tragedy?
If my family were rapists, or behind terrorism, or behind torture, or behind kidnapping, or murder or thievery, I'd disown them. I wouldn't be justifying their rhetoric with weasle words.
So what is my opinion of Haneef?
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Who Cannot Mourn?
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AFP investigates possible Gold Coast terror attack
By Paula Doneman
POLICE are investigating whether Mohamed Haneef was part of a planned terrorist attack on a landmark building at the Gold Coast.
Australian Federal Police are examining images of the building and its foundations found among documents and photographs seized in a police raid on the doctor's Southport unit three weeks ago.
The AFP inquiry is looking at documents referring to destroying structures discovered in the raid, law enforcement sources said.
The investigation also is examining information seized in the raid which indicated the Gold Coast doctor planned to leave Australia the day before or after September 11 - the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York.
It is understood in his second interview with the AFP last Saturday, Haneef was questioned about photographs of him and his family taken in Queensland and overseas.
Haneef, a registrar at the Gold Coast Hospital since September last year, explained that the images were only tourist shots.
Investigators consider some of the photos seized are not ordinary holiday photos.
The AFP investigation is also looking at information that Haneef was one of a group of doctors who had been familiarising themselves with the operation of planes at a Queensland premises.
Haneef, 27, was last week charged with recklessly supporting terrorist activity by providing a mobile phone SIM card to his second cousins, Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed, both of whom are being held in Britain over the failed terrorist attacks.
Haneef's solicitor Peter Russo said he knew nothing about the investigations into the documents and photographs relating to the Gold Coast building or destroying structures.
"He wasn't questioned about the majority of these matters," Mr Russo said.
"A couple of other questions were asked ... but not in such a fashion that we could tell what they were talking about.
"Obviously if you're Muslim and you come from India, don't dare take any photos of any structures ... or that will be interpreted by the Queensland police force of having a sinister intent."
The AFP has been criticised for its handling of the investigation after it was revealed that Haneef's SIM card was not found in the burnt-out Jeep at Glasgow airport after the botched terror attack on June 30, as a Brisbane court was told a week ago.
Instead, the SIM card was discovered eight hours later in Liverpool with Sabeel Ahmed, who is facing the minor charge of withholding information.
Law enforcement sources said AFP agents have downloaded information from four computers in the library of the Gold Coast Hospital where Dr Haneef has worked as a junior registrar since September last year.
The investigators are trolling through 31,000 electronic pages, most of it in Hindi.
A senior source confirmed yesterday that emails between Haneef and the Ahmed brothers in Britain are now seen as possible evidence.
An AFP spokeswoman said Commissioner Mick Keelty would not confirm or deny the allegations as the matter is before the court.
Hours after being granted conditional bail by a Brisbane magistrate on Monday, the Federal Government cancelled Haneef's visa on character grounds.
A hearing will be held in the Federal Court next month to determine whether he will remain in custody while he awaits trial.
Haneef is currently being held at Brisbane's Wolston Correctional Centre.
Haneef may scare off foreign doctors - AMA
from news.com.au
FOREIGN doctors, which comprise up to 40% of the medical workforce, could avoid Australia because of the way Mohamed Haneef's case has been handled, the Australian Medical Association says.
AMA president Rosanna Capolingua said Australians must separate the allegations against the Gold Coast doctor from his profession.
"There seems to be a thought that doctors from overseas won't want to come to Australia looking at the Haneef issue because they don't want to be a part of this,'' Dr Capolingua said.
"We have to remember that this is not about doctors.
"This is about a particular situation around an individual who happens to be a doctor.
"It would be very sad to see doctors dissuaded from coming here, because this is not about doctors.''
Australia's medical sector would struggle without the input of foreign doctors, Dr Capolingua said.
"Of our total medical workforce, 30 to 40 per cent are international medical graduates and in some cases they have been in Australia for 10, 20, 30 years.
"Three thousand to 4,000 doctors are here on visas, so they are temporary residents and many are working in rural and regional areas.
"They are no different to any other doctor as far as patient care is concerned and we are very dependent on them.''
Dr Haneef, 27, who was working as a registrar at the Gold Coast Hospital, has been charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation following the failed bomb attacks in Britain last month.
His case has become mired in controversy after the federal government moved to cancel his working visa despite a Brisbane magistrate granting him bail on July 16.
Since then several apparent flaws in the prosecutor's case have arisen, raising concerns both in Australia and overseas.
Haneef a victim of circumstance, says relative
from news.com.au By staff writers and wires
DETAINED Gold Coast-based doctor Mohamed Haneef was a "victim of circumstances", a relative in Australia to offer his support said today.
Imran Siddiqui, a cousin of Haneef's wife, Firdous Arshiya, today spoke to a community forum discussing the Gold Coast-based doctor's highly publicised plight.
Mr Siddiqui arrived in Brisbane from India late last night to provide moral support for his relative.
"Back home, we are all saying that Haneef is the victim of circumstances," Mr Siddiqui told the packed forum at Griffith University's Nathan Campus in Brisbane.
"After all this hard work, after being a model citizen, after losing his father at a very early age, going through all this, maintaining his family and then right (when) he's relishing the hard work which he's been doing over the years someone has to face... that."
Mr Siddiqui urged authorities to ensure that "the truth comes out" and that Haneef is given a fair trial.
"I think authorities should definitely, all over the world, think about this and see that, you know, innocent people are not being targeted," he said.
"We want him to come home with a clear charge," he said.
Labor cautious over new reports
Labor was being cautious today about reports that Haneef may have been helping plan an attack on an Australian target.
The Sunday Herald Sun today printed a source's claim that AFP officers had downloaded images of a building and its foundations from Haneef's computer.
But opposition finance spokesman Lindsay Tanner today said the "source" could be anyone.
"Government sources could mean anything – who knows who that is, who knows how much information they've genuinely got access to?" Mr Tanner told ABC TV.
"It could be (Attorney-General) Philip Ruddock or it could be a junior official in immigration, who knows?
"I've learned over the years to be very careful about assuming that things that are in newspapers attributed to anonymous sources have any credence whatsoever," he said.
Mr Tanner said people must wait until the legal process is complete before casting judgment.
"All we've got is partial information. We have to be very careful about casting judgment on all of these things before all of the facts are known, before the legal processes are completed."
Another premier speaks out
NSW Premier Morris Iemma today urged the Federal Government to "give a fuller explanation" of its handling of Haneef's case.
Mr Iemma said he shared the concerns of his Queensland counterpart Peter Beattie regarding Haneef's case at the unveiling to new NSW anti-terrorism measures today.
Mr Beattie has expressed concerns over the possible mishandling of the case.
Mr Iemma said he supported federal counter-terrorism laws but called on the Commonwealth to provide answers to the public.
"The Commonwealth needs to use those powers appropriately," Mr Iemma said.
"I say as Peter Beattie did yesterday that the (Government) needs to be more forthcoming with information to the public."
Mr Iemma declined to comment further on Haneef's case and said it was a matter for the investigating authorities.
Haneef's cousin speaks out on Brisbane arrival
from news.com.au
A RELATIVE of terror suspect Mohamed Haneef has arrived in Brisbane to provide moral support for the jailed doctor.
Imran Siddiqui, a cousin of Haneef's wife Firdous Arshiya, arrived in Brisbane late last night after a 24-hour flight from his family's home in Bangalore, India.
The 31-year-old business consultant said he was here to provide moral support and to clarify the legalities of the case.
“Someone has to be there from home,” Mr Siddiqui told journlists at Brisbane airport.
“Physically a person to be here is very important.
“I have to see how the legal proceedings are going on, and see if we can strengthen the legal approach.”
Haneef has been charged with providing support to a terrorst organisation following the failed bomb attacks in Britain last month.
His case has become mired in controversy after the Federal Government moved to cancel his working visa despite a Brisbane magistrate granting him bail on July 14.
Since then several apparent flaws in the prosecutor's case have arisen, raising concerns both in Australia and overseas.
Mr Siddiqui asaid his family had found the ordeal to be “traumatic”, but were coping well.
“It has been quite difficult,” he said.
He said anyone who knew Haneef would be shocked by the allegations.
“We all know him as a very good person, as a model citizen and a model person - character-wise, behaviour, everything.”
“He has done well in his studies, a good profession as well.”
He said the family were pleased with the legal team so far and thanked the judiciary for granting Haneef bail.
“I am really very happy with the legal team which is working right now and I thank the jucifiary to grant the bail for Haneef sometime back - that shows the judiciary has got confidence in him.”
Mr Siddiqui was welcomed to Brisbane by fellow Muslim Emad Soliman who felt compelled to meet him and support the family.
A PhD student at Griffith University and Democrats candidate for the federal seat of Moreton, Mr Soliman said it was important Mr Siddiqui felt welcome in Australia.
“I don't believe in guilt by association,” he said.
Mr Soliman said the 30,000-strong Muslim community in Brisbane were concerned by the case, and confirmed that several members fo the community had been questioned by the Federal Police.
“I think we're in fear that who's going to be next,” he said.
Haneef's solicitor Peter Russo, who was also at the airport, said he was unsure when Mr Siddiqui would be able to visit Haneef, who is currently incarcerated at Wolston Correctional Centre.
The defence will tomorrow present their affidavist appealing the Federal Government's decision to withdraw Haneef's working visa.
The legal team and Mr Siddiqui will today participate in a community forum which aims to produce a statement to the Federal Government.
Haneef is next due to appear in court on August 8 regarding the visa appeal.
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