A Sudden Turnaround

[poliphilo]

Oh...

Right....

I spoke to the solicitor. He's withdrawing from the case. He thinks Azam is scamming us.

It's like this. Azam wants to convert to Christianity, yes? But he knows nothing about Christianity. He's interviewed by immigration officials and he can't tell them what an apostle is or who Jesus' mother was. Even more telling, he doesn't seem to want to find out. He has an Urdu bible in his hands, but he hasn't read a word of it.

Apparently a lot of people try to pull this trick.

Anyway, he'll be going back to Pakistan. There's nothing anyone can do for him at this late stage. The case is closed.

I feel a little foolish.

Sorry.

And of course I'll always be left with a scintilla of doubt. Maybe he was for real and a terrible injustice has been done. I'll never know.

Comments

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If it was a scam he hadn't thought it through- and he hadn't put the work in. As the solicitor said, what would it have cost him to read a chapter or two of the Bible? With a little homework he could have turned himself into a reasonably convincing, would-be convert, but- for what ever reason- he couldn't be bothered.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a typical young man to me! I suspect he really hadn't thought things through at all, or even had a very clear idea of what he was trying to do.

I'm sorry that he pulled the wool over your eyes. It's often difficult when you're close to the situation to see things clearly. From what you say above it's a trick that the immigration officials have seen before, so they get a clearer perspective.

Whilst it would no doubt be nice for Azam to settle here, we are a small and crowded island and I would rather keep spaces for those genuinely in danger from war or persecution.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

"Typical young man" says it all I think- reckless, charming and believes himself to be immortal.

There were things that might have given me pause for thought, but I was willing to be duped.