WINNIPEG — A University of Winnipeg student has been granted refugee status, after arguing that he would be persecuted for his sexual orientation if he were to return to his home country.
Hazim Ismail is gay, which is illegal in Malaysia. He is also an atheist, which is not illegal, but is frowned upon in the Muslim nation.
At an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing Tuesday in Winnipeg, Ismail’s claim for refugee status was granted.
Ismail said his parents disowned him and cut off his funding for school after learning he was gay and an atheist.
His story also went public after a GoFundMe page made its way to Malaysia and he was outed in the media, against his will.
He made the claim after receiving death threats from people in Malaysia.
Ismail came to Canada just over three years ago to study psychology at the University of Winnipeg.
With files from CJOB
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