(Pictured trying out local Sudanese delicacies, known as 'Shai bi zalabia', is the Rev. Stephen Dawson)
A formal complaint is to be made to the Government after the main speaker at an event to celebrate the diocesan link with the Sudan was prevented from entering the country.
More than sixty people gathered at St Stephen's Steeton for the meeting which was chaired by the Archdeacon of Bradford, Ven David Lee. The keynote speaker was to have been the Rev Elizabeth Aya, the Sudan Mothers’ Union Provincial Leader, who has worked for many years in the country. But her visa application was turned down and she was unable to travel to England.
The Revd David Austin said, "Unfortunately Elizabeth Aya was unable to attend due to refusal of her visa application by the UK Border Agency. David Lee will place a formal complaint with the British government who refused her based upon the fact she had no bank account and 'therefore' was likely to not want to return home following her visit - despite her being an international speaker and the president of the Mothers’ Union in Sudan.”
Christian Aid workers gave a presentation on Socio-Political intervention and on the current context in Sudan, fresh footage of visits to and from the diocese were shown and there was an update on how money collected has been spent.
