The Swedish government has decided not to deport Reza Jabbari, an Iranian Christian facing possible prison and torture in Iran.
Jabbari was given permanent residency on Monday by Sweden's migration board.
The Swedish government had previously ordered Jabbari to be deported despite his Christian testimony.
Jabbar's pastor, Cai Berger, says CBN News's story
about Jabbari's situation changed the political climate for Christian
refugees seeking asylum in Sweden.
Here's an excerpt from the letter Pastor Berger sent to our CBN News team:
This is truly a great day and first and foremost
I wish to give thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For His
grace, support and comfort through all of this; in opening the right
doors and getting us in connection with all the right people! Further, a
special thanks to Reza's lawyer Lars Gagnér and his wonderful help and
support. To Kassim, who made the program for Sweden's Radio
International; who got the Directors of Legal Affairs to state the
obvious, but for Reza and many converts the necessary words for all of
us to work with. It has provided us with tools in this struggle I can't
imagine we can see the benefits of yet.
A very warm and heartfelt thanks and God
bless to CBN; Steve Little, Gary Lane, Dale Hurd and Damien Cooney in
particular - but, all of you known and unknown brothers and sisters at
CBN. You really got this case to make it around the world, and you got
Sweden's maltreatment of converts to be known and put immense pressure
on the Migration board in Reza's case. I think what you did and
especially the program Dale and Damien shot in Stockholm have changed
the climate, and put Sweden's churches on the offensive when it comes to
the issues of converts from Muslim countries. You have won many friends
among us. Keep up you're wonderful work in Christ!
A warm thanks to the Council of Churches in
Sweden. You have done a tremendous work in changing the views of the
Migration board. On the convert issue Bengt Sjöberg, you have been
working tirelessly for converts and deserve so many thanks for this,
also you paved the way for many more. A special thanks to Bengt
Sandqvist for you're constant "harassment" of the Migration board. We
now pray that will get results for our friend Eddie Sajedi as well,
which I know is you're first task in this struggle for converts.
Thanks also to the following newspapers:
Sändaren, Världen idag, Hemmets Vän, Aftonbladet and Dagens Nyheter. You
have all written about Reza to a larger or lesser extent. It has all
been invaluable. Thank you and God bless to all the blogs around the
world for support and prayers. You made a huge contribution in showing
ignorant Swedish authorities how big an issue question this really is.
You are too many to mention by name here, but
none of you are forgotten. From my special place in heart - friends and
family: Thanks for all you're efforts in helping, supporting and
cheering on: You're super! At last, but sure not the least - to my
church, Tenstakyrkans Missionsförsamling: You have supported and cared
for Reza, prayed for him and allowed me the time to focus so much on
this. You're the best! Once again; Thank you Jesus for these great news
today!
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