“Thank you dear people, all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband. I am taking a deep breath to calm down and find gratitude (and understanding) in this moment for all that is happening.
“The only law that we should all respect across every single border is love and respect for another human being. Love and forgiveness is never a mistake but a powerful force.”
The leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, sent a Christmas message to Djokovic.
“Dear Nole, only a pale shadow will remain from the troubles and temptations you are going through on Christmas Day, a day of pure joy,” his message on Instagram said.
“God is great and you know who you are as you grew up with the sound of bells from the Nemanjic family [Serbian dynasty in the Middle Ages] endowments. Millions of Orthodox Serbs are praying for you, like they are praying for us.“
Wishing Djokovic a Merry Christmas, Patriarch Porfirije said: “May the imperishable love and warmth of the Bethlehem cave warm and strengthen your heart and soul.”
Meanwhile refugee advocates hope Novak Djokovic’s detention in a Melbourne immigration facility will shine a light on the plight of the asylum seekers long held there.
Djokovic’s bid for a 10th Australian Open title and world record 21st grand slam crown was derailed Thursday morning when the ABF cancelled his visa, finding he had “failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia”, a decision apparently tied to his vaccination status.
The protests outside Carlton’s Park Hotel started on Thursday night when Novak Djokovic backers lit candles and sung in Serbian to show their support for the tennis champ.Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola
Amnesty International national campaign manager Shankar Kasynathan joined other activists outside the hotel on Friday morning.
“Many of us are here today because we recognise the importance of the fact that in this place … there is situation where the world is watching at this point because we have one of the world’s most celebrated athletes under the same roof as the world’s most vulnerable people, namely refugees,” Mr Kasynathan said.
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“Tens of thousands of Australians have been calling on the government to end this cruelty. The New Zealand deal has been on the table; we could today, get these men out of here and [resettled in the Australian community or in New Zealand].
“We hope that Novak Djokovic will use his influence, his support base … to potentially put pressure on [Home Affairs Minister] Karen Andrews and the Australian government to end this senseless cruelty when there are viable solutions to get these men out of here.”
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Djokovic supporters mobilise around world, rally in Melbourne
Source: Philippines Alive
