Sweden Grants Iranian Christian Reza Jabbari Asylum

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 the 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!