Blind Algerian refugee claimant free at last
A blind refugee claimant from Algeria has been living inside a Point-St-Charles church for almost four years to avoid being deported.
But he finally stepped foot outside St. Gabriel's church this morning a free man.
Abdelkader Belaouni has won his fight with the immigration department which is now allowing him to stay here on humanitarian grounds.
A small group of supporters gathered around the church entrance and cheered as Belaouni made his way outside, the first time he's been outside and in public since he took sanctuary there, evading deportation officials.
The 40-year-old blind Algerian man fled his wartorn country 13 years ago. He went to the U.S. and came to Canada in 2003, fearing he would be imprisoned and deported because he was placed on a special post-9-11 registration list for people from Muslim countries.
And even though it took almost four years, he knew this day would come.
"I believe in my cause. I believe I have a strong case, and I know it's the day when it's coming. Because I'm a very positive person," Belaouni told reporters.
Now he plans on working at an immigration center, record his second CD of songs and write a book, telling others in his situation:
"Don't be afraid and don't give up and if you have something to say, go for it and say it."
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