Many Iranian migrants leave their homeland and seek refuge in Canada due to unfavourable social, political, economic, and even religious conditions. According to Islamic laws in Iran, the government can sentence individuals who convert from Islam to another religion to the highest punishment, which is death.

This law is used as an excuse, perhaps prompting some Iranians to claim a change of religion as a reason for immigration to Canada.

Iranian priest, Fahim Moini has helped these individuals numerous times. He has often found that the cases of these migrants were not genuine but merely for obtaining Canadian residency. In this conversation, he addresses the challenges he faces in helping his Iranian compatriots and the problems that later affect him.

Fahim says, "Sometimes when I realize I've been deceived and become a victim of this deception, I agonize over the fact that my duty was only to help, and when I get hurt, tears fill my eyes."

While emotional, Fahim adds, "We are people who have emerged from great hardships and are seeking a haven."

He has dedicated his life to helping others and allocates time to Iranian prisoners to secure their release.

Fahim, who has become emotional, says, "People assume that we, as clergy, receive government money, but that's not the case. I have also worked at Amazon Company and even worked as a janitor at one point."

Fahim hopes that in the future, cases of genuine migrants who have truly converted to Christianity won't be mixed up with those who deceitfully claim such conversions for immigration purposes.

Journalist: Majid Mahichi

Skyrise Media Society