Kassim Mohamed is a Kenyan-Canadian[1] Muslim who was detained by Egyptian officials after Canadian authorities reported he had been filming national monuments, city buildings, and subway stations.

Life

Mohamed moved to Canada with his wife and daughter in 1990, and obtained citizenship in 1995 - at which point he had five children.[1] He worshipped at the Salaheddin Islamic Centre in Scarborough.[2]

Questioned in Canada

After Mohamed and another man used a camcorder to film various details of the CN Tower (including fire exits)[3] and the inside of the Bloor-Yonge subway station,[4] he was questioned by two Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers the following day as he left the Tim Hortons across from his mosque.[1][2][5] Constable Joseph Harris confirmed that the filming had been the impetus for their concern and investigation.[2]

Detained in Egypt

In May 2004, he boarded a flight bound for Cairo, Egypt and was questioned by Canadian officials at the airport as he departed. After his flight reached Athens, he was informed that he would have to deboard and return to Canada.[1]

He was held for two weeks by Egyptian authorities, who questioned him.

Lawsuit

Represented by lawyer Lorne Waldman, Mohamed announced he was suing the Canadian authorities.[2]

In 2004, Imam Aly Hindy celebrated the 135th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi by organising a group of 100 local Muslims to videotape the CN Tower as part of a non-violent protest against the detention of Mohamed[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Shephard, Michelle. Toronto Star, "Agents feared attack on Toronto subway; Documents say Kassim Mohamed videotaped tracks Passengers' reports sparked investigations", November 13, 2004
  2. 1 2 3 4 Shephard, Michelle. Toronto Star, "Terror fears lead to man's ordeal; CN Tower tape raised suspicions Suing government to clear his nameFrom polygraph test to room service", September 20, 2004
  3. ↑ "Another Badly Needed Anti-Terrorism Law - Mackenzie Institute". Mackenzie Institute. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  4. ↑ "Terrorism suspicions mystifying, man says". The Globe and Mail. 15 November 2004. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  5. ↑ Garzone, Mark. "Canada's Spies Attacked Me", p. 54
  6. ↑ Homes Not Bombs, gandhihindy
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