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You might have seen Hakeem Al-Araibi’s story on the news recently. Hakeem is 25 years old. Recently married. He loves soccer. Loves pulling on his boots and taking to the pitch for Pascoe Vale Football Club – the mighty Paco. He loves this country. This city. This state.
He’s made Melbourne his home after being granted refugee status a few years ago. Except Hakeem isn’t here, at home. He’s locked up in a Thai jail on a bogus vandalism charge. (Issued by the Bahraini Government during the Arab Spring of 2012, it has long since been discredited.)
This should have been one of the happiest times of his life – on honeymoon, enjoying a well-deserved holiday with his wife. Instead, it’s turned into a nightmare. He’s being threatened with deportation back to Bahrain, 10 years in jail – and worse. And time is running out.
I sent this note to Hakeem, to let him know that all Victorians are standing with him. Stay strong, mate. We will get you home. And we’ll look forward to seeing you out on the field again very soon. 
People will be gathering tmrw in Fed Square at 10.30am – & across Australia – to call for Hakeem's release. Join them if you can. You can also lend your voice to the campaign by contacting the Thai Embassy or signing this petition to bring Hakeem home: action.amnesty.org.au/act-now/saveha…
