Hazim Ismail, an openly gay and atheist Malaysian currently studying in Canada, has his claim for refugee status accepted.

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada panel in Winnipeg made the decision following a 20-minute hearing yesterday.

The University of Winnipeg student – who had feared for his life should he be sent back to Malaysia – was nothing short of overwhelmed by the decision.

“I feel really, really, really loved and appreciated," Hazim said as quoted by Canada’s CBC.ca.

Hazim’s lawyer, Bashir Khan said his client’s new status as a ‘protected person’ meant that he cannot be deported back to Malaysia.

"This is one of those cases where the evidence is strong. My client is very credible and he has got tremendous public support, and all of that came together and he won his claim without too much struggle at the hearing room today."

Hazim will receive a written version of the decision in the next three to six weeks. The document will enable him to apply for permanent resident status in Canada.

The student’s family has disowned him and stopped paying for his education last year after they found out he is gay and an atheist.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched in December last year to help pay for his tuition.

Although he considered returning to Malaysia and trying to live undercover, his case has since put him in the spotlight in Malaysia, which attracted various threats made against him.

"I'm trying to fight for survival because Malaysia's not welcoming of homosexuals,” he said.