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6 April 2016
CTV Winnipeg Atheist, gay international student granted refugee status: Hazim Ismail was been granted refugee status Tuesda… http://bit.ly/1Vu6sfL
A University of Winnipeg student from Malaysia has been granted refugee status after being cut-off financially by his parents because he is gay.
Hazim Ismail was granted refugee status Tuesday morning by a division of the Immigrant and Refugee Board of Canada.
His lawyer Bashir Khan said his client walked in as a refugee claimant and walked out a protected person with the same rights as any Canadian citizen.
“The evidence is strong, my client is very credible and he’s got tremendous public support and all of that came together and he won his claim without too much struggle,” said Khan.
In a very short refugee claim hearing, Ismail was questioned about his personal life as a gay atheist man and the repercussions about being outed by family members in his home country.
Ismail said it is illegal to be homosexual in Malaysia, and his family is devoutly Muslim.
“It’s not just that, just reading people’s comments like I want to stomp on your face or people want to track down my family back home,” said Ismail. “It’s a real fear, I have a hard time sleeping because of it.”
He said he has since been cut-off financially by his mother, and he’s received death threats from strangers after his story went viral in his home country.
When the decision came, his supporters cheered, cried and hugged.
“Quite frankly, he’s affected quite a number of people in our community in very positive ways, the opportunity for him to stay will just allow him to continue to make that positive effect,” said Jacqueline Pelland, one of Ismail’s friends.
“His story touched me and no one should have to face this kind of situation by themselves. So we are here just as students to support him,” said Alexa Potashnik, another friend of Ismail’s.
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Gay University of Winnipeg Student Told to Die: Hazim Ismail, gay international student studying at the Univer… http://bit.ly/1T8ETYx
Hazim Ismail, 27, is an international student at the University of Winnipeg. He’s received hate mail from Malaysians after being outed as gay and disowned by his own family. (AUSTIN GRABISH / FOR CHRISD.CA)
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M’sian gay, atheist student seeks refuge in Canada after backlash
M’sian gay, atheist student seeks refuge in Canada after backlash http://bit.ly/20gfBtA
M’sian gay, atheist student seeks refuge in Canada after backlash
KUALA LUMPUR — A Malaysian student who is both gay and atheist has sought refugee status in Canada after a local news site published a poll saying that he “can run, but he can’t hide”.
Canadian news site CBC News also reported yesterday (Jan 20) Mr Hazim Ismail, a student at the University of Winnipeg, as saying that a reporter from Malaysia had asked him to reveal the names of the people in Malaysia who had opened up about their homosexuality to him privately.
“People have just been, ‘You have to repent, you will not be safe.’ There was a poll about me: ‘What is going to happen to Hazim?’ And one of the options was, ‘You can run but you can’t hide’,” Mr Hazim was quoted saying.
Malaysian social news site Says reported last Wednesday Mr Hazim as saying that he longed to return to Malaysia to bring about positive change and published an online poll in Malay asking readers: “What do you think will happen ater this?”
The poll listed four options: “Hazim will return to Malaysia and be an LGBT spokesman”, “Malaysians will alienate Hazim”, “Hazim can run but he can’t hide”, and “Hazim will be given a second chance”.
Many of those who wrote in Says’ comment section told Mr Hazim to repent, with one Facebook user saying: “When you get HIV, then you’ll know the meaning of regret..then only you’ll know who God is..dunno lah..”
CBC News reported that Hazim has obtained a lawyer and was preparing for a refugee status hearing in April.
Mr Hazim reportedly received messages telling him not to come back to Malaysia and “taint our children”.
http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/msian-gay-atheist-student-seeks-refuge-canada-after-backlash
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abi International student in Winnipeg fearful after Malaysian media picks up his story. Hazim Ismail, who is gay and a… http://ift.tt/1lxQBy2
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“Saya Sangat Menderita” – Luah Pelajar Homoseksual Dan Ateis Ini Setelah Dibuang Keluarga: http://bit.ly/gaydanateis
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weehingthong 