Nov, 10 2007, VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) – An Iranian man fighting deportation is now free. A tearful Ali Reza Monemi was surrounded by family and friends when he was told his fifth appeal to stay in Canada had been granted by immigration authorities. The 31-year old says Reverend Dan Meakes was his saviour 18 months ago when he gave him asylum at North Vancouver’s St. John the Evangelist Church, “I owe my life to him, first of all. He’s the one who was positive since I walked in to his church. He gave me hope, gave me strength to stay and I owe him my life. I just can’t say…the words can’t describe what he did for me.”

Reverend Meakes says Monemi now only has to come to church on Sundays, “Ali’s a free man, finally. Ali will be able to have a normal life. Just the fact that he’s going to go home and sleep in his own bed. It’s a profound moment of freedom.”

Earlier this year, Meakes went to Ottawa to plead Ali’s case, saying his life would be in danger if he returned to Iran because he’s converted to Christianity.