Weeks after being freed from a Thai jail, the Bahraini-born refugee footballer becomes naturalised

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A few weeks ago, Hakeem al-Araibi had another restless night.

“I didn’t sleep the night [before] the test,” the Bahraini-born footballer and refugee said. “I know all the Australian laws now.”

He needn’t have worried. Al-Araibi passed the final hurdle in his quest to become a naturalised Australian – the citizenship test – with a score of 100%, according to Craig Foster, the former Socceroo who led the public campaign to free Al-Araibi from a Bangkok prison.

On Tuesday, he was among 207 people from 44 countries who took a pledge or affirmation at Federation Square in Melbourne to become an Australian citizen.

“Finally, no country can follow me now because I am Australian,” Al-Araibi said, moments after the ceremony. “Bahrain, please don’t follow me. I am now 100% safe in this country.”

Hakeem al-Araibi: thank you Australia for bringing me home – but my fight is not over Read more

Al-Araibi was arrested in November on an erroneously issued Interpol red notice while honeymooning in Thailand with his wife. Bahrain sought his extradition over vandalism allegations, which Al-Araibi has always denied.

At the height of campaign to have him released from prison, supporters had called on the home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, to grant Al-Araibi citizenship while he remained incarcerated.

The push was rejected, but as it turned out, Al-Araibi was freed anyway when Thailand dropped the extradition proceedings. He returned to Australia last month after 76 days in jail.

As the new citizens took the pledge, the camera phones in the hands of the diverse crowd of well-wishers went up to eye level, clicked and shuttered.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Hakeem Al-Araibi (second from right) receives his Australian citizenship during a ceremony at Federation Square in Melbourne. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP

The photos continued as a line snaked around the hall after the ceremony. New Australians were waiting for a happy snap with Al-Araibi and Foster.

“Few Australians, I guess, had to fight quite so hard to become a citizen,” Foster said.

“Hakeem asked me just a couple of days ago, ‘What do you think about my wife and her citizenship?’

“And I said to him, ‘She has to wait a further two years, Hakeem, because she hasn’t been here long enough and there are requirements.’ He said, ‘I love Australia.’ I said, ‘Why? What do you mean?’ And he said, ‘Because there are laws, there are rules and they are always followed.”

‘Big surprise’: Hakeem al-Araibi feels the love as he returns to football club Read more

The foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, who led the diplomatic efforts to secure Al-Araibi’s release, said the campaign had “embodied some of the best aspects of Australia”.

“It sends a thrill through my heart and my mind that you have chosen Australia,” she told the ceremony.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Prime minister Scott Morrison, Hakeem al-Araibi (centre) and Craig Foster at the Commonwealth Offices in Melbourne on Tuesday. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

Al-Araibi is yet to pull on the boots for his Melbourne football club, Pascoe Vale, which plays at a level one tier below the A-League. But he enjoyed a euphoric homecoming last month. He is back at training and is trying to regain his fitness after months away from the game.

“Now I just want to rest in my house with my family,” Al-Araibi said, reiterating his hope that he would one day play A-League.

Foster expressed a similar sentiment, but emphasised that “more importantly we just want him to recover as a person”.

“In the fullness of time I’m sure he’ll get back to playing football,” he said.

“But we have told him, we fought so hard, it’s up to you, now. You’re an Australian citizen. In time, you’re going to be eligible to play for Australia. We want to see you pulling on the green and gold. It’s very much in your court.”