Islamic Victory In Canada
Mahr Arar compensation $10.50 Millions, and the PM Apology


Wa Salam

Brother Maher Arar was a successful Computer Engineer from Montreal, he and his family visited
Tunis in 2002 and in his way back to Canada was stopped in New York and deported by USA to
Syria where he experienced a Nightmare. His Wife and the Islamic Associations in Canada did fight
for his freedom and his rights. It was a long fight, it helped that his family as well as his wife's family
are living in Canada to support him. However, after he was successful Engineer worked in Canada
and USA, until now he cannot find a work!!!

The legal fight resulted in the Resignation of the Canadian Head of the Police (The Police
Commissioner) for the lies he and the police said about Maher Arar.
And Today, The Canadian Prime Minister provided an Apology and financial compensation of the
amount of $10.50 Millions to Maher Arar.
Allhamdull Allah (SWT) this is a Victory.

For me, I went through a different kind of (Nightmare) discrimination against Muslims; it lasted from
1987 to 2004 until I get to the Retirement Age. All these years (as Maher Arar) was not able to
work, after being a successful Dr. Engineer with Ph.D. from the University of Montreal.
However, it is more difficult for me to fight back since I am alone here without extended family
support, The Islamic Associations are supportive, but it is difficult for me to take care of the daily
life work and find the time, money and energy to fight to get my rights. However, I am trying to do
my best.

Obviously the injustice I went through, resulted in long years of unemployment, not able to afford
to start my own family here or visit my family in Egypt or Greece. or actually doing anything other
than surviving from day to day.
Allhamdull Allah (SWT) for everything

Wa Salam
Hamdy
drhamdyyoussef@yahoo.com


PMO-CPM <pm@PM.GC.CA>
wrote:
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:00:59 -0500
From: PMO-CPM <pm@PM.GC.CA>
Subject: News Release / Communiqué
To: ALLNEWS_BE@LSERV.PMO-CPM.GC.CA
From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

PRIME MINISTER RELEASES LETTER OF APOLOGY TO MAHER ARAR AND HIS FAMILY AND
ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF MEDIATION PROCESS
January 26, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today released the letter of apology he has sent to Maher Arar and
his family for any role Canadian officials may have played in what happened to Mr. Arar, Monia
Mazigh and their family in 2002 and 2003.

“Although the events leading up to this terrible ordeal happened under the previous government,
our Government will do everything in its power to ensure that the issues raised by Commissioner O’
Connor are addressed,” said the Prime Minister. “I sincerely hope that these actions will help Mr.
Arar and his family begin a new and hopeful chapter in their lives.”

Canada’s New Government has accepted all 23 recommendations made in Commissioner O’
Connor’s first report, and has already begun acting upon them. The Government has sent letters
to both the Syrian and the U.S. governments formally objecting to the treatment of Mr. Arar.
Ministers Day and MacKay have also expressed Canada’s concerns on this important issue to
their American counterparts. Finally, Canada has removed Mr. Arar from Canadian lookout lists,
and requested that the United States amend its own records accordingly.

The Prime Minister also announced that Canada’s New Government has successfully completed
the mediation process with Mr. Arar, fulfilling another one of Commissioner O’Connor’s
recommendations. This settlement, mutually agreed upon by all parties, ensures that Mr. Arar and
his family will obtain fair compensation, in the amount of $10.5 million, plus legal costs, for the
ordeal they have suffered.

The text of the Prime Minister’s letter to Maher Arar is attached.
* * * *
Dear Mr. Arar:

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to apologize to you, Monia Mazigh and your family
for any role Canadian officials may have played in the terrible ordeal that all of you experienced in
2002 and 2003.

Although these events occurred under the last government, please rest assured that this
government will do everything in its power to ensure that the issues raised by Commissioner O’
Connor are addressed.

I trust that, having arrived at a negotiated settlement, we have ensured that fair compensation will
be paid to you and your family. I sincerely hope that these words and actions will assist you and
your family in your efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in your lives.

Yours sincerely,
Stephen Harper
PM of Canada
http://www.pm.gc.ca