Canadian imam released from 'horrid' Saudi imprisonment

The president of the Islamic Sha Ithna-Asheri, the mosque Al-Atar attends, Mahmood Mavani says Al-Atar has been the Imam at their mosque for two years. He says the community was devastated to learn of his arrest.

CTV Edmonton: Local imam released from custody

A local imam who was allegedly beaten and jailed in Saudi Arabia has been released from custody.

CTV News Channel: Tom Kennedy on the release

CTV's London bureau chief says Usama Al-Atar has been released without explanation, and explains how there remains heavy concern around the imam's well being.

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Dr. Usama Al Attar is seen in this undated photo.

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CTVNews.ca

Date: Mon. Oct. 31 2011 3:18 PM ET

A Canadian imam who was allegedly beaten and arrested by police in Saudi Arabia said Monday he was relieved to be released from "horrid" conditions but planned to continue his religious pilgrimage.

Shaykh Usama Al-Atar, from Edmonton, was arrested in Medina on Sunday while leading a group in prayer.

"As you are well aware I was falsely arrested and held by Saudi authorities for the best part of the previous 36 hours in what can only be described as horrid conditions," Al-Atar said in a statement released by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

"I feel deeply relieved and very grateful to be free and reunited with friends."

Al-Atar went on to thank the IHRC for campaigning on his behalf, and the Canadian media for following his story.

He said he planned to continue his hajj, or religious pilgrimage, in Saudi Arabia and therefore it "would not, unfortunately, be sensible nor wise" to grant any media interviews.

Earlier Monday a spokesperson for the IHRC called on Ottawa to step in and lend support to Al-Atar.

The Edmonton imam had been in custody in Medina since Saudi religious police targeted the group he was travelling with.

Al-Atar was reportedly leading the group in prayer on Sunday when the police began to harass the group. Officers quickly focused in on the 33-year-old Edmonton man, taking him into custody, according to one witness.

"They virtually strangled him. We saw him go black and blue," Mohamed Hayward told The Canadian Press.

Massoud Shadjareh, of the IHRC in London, said earlier Monday Al-Atar was undergoing questioning at the district attorney's office Monday and his supporters hoped he would be released soon after.

"He was seen by a number of people at the police station and he's very shaken but in good health and to some extent a bit disillusioned with the events that have taken place," Shadjareh told CTV's Canada AM from London.

He called on Canadian diplomats to help, saying Al-Atar had no lawyer and no Canadian representatives had come to his aid.

"We were a bit surprised the Canadian government hasn't taken the role that it should and there's no support for him right now in Medina where he needs it most. He needs to be visited by consular officials and indeed even his family. We had to contact his wife to give news of his arrest," Shadjareh said.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday that diplomats in Saudi Arabia are aware of the arrest and were ready to provide consular assistance if needed.

According to reports, Al-Atar has a pregnant wife and a three-year-old child in Edmonton, and an elderly father.

"He's a fully-fledged normal Canadian guy," Hayward said.

"We're just minding our own business, we're all from London and America and Canada and Europe, and we're all just trying to get on with our spiritual programs here."

Shadjareh said Saudi authorities have been "on edge" due to recent events related to the Arab Spring as well as the fact high numbers of refugees from neighbouring countries have spilled into Saudi Arabia to avoid tensions elsewhere.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

remi
said

@ sanfoor: Brother, im not here to debate about sunnis and shias! i just wanted to make clear to you that generalising is not acceptable! And I'm sure its the same case with sunni's views on our beliefs! so please i could sit here and send you all the books and hadiths that would end up in a debate completely unrelated to this article! At the end of the day, this is about a fellow muslim brother who got wrongly accused by people that called themselves muslim but clearly are not because of the way they have treated him according to their misinterpretation of the Sharia Law!! So if we can just agree to disagree and concentrate on this story! Thanks

moodyB
said

as stated by one poster, we are free to travel when and where we want, BUT, if you choose to go into dangerous territory, don't expect the canadian taxpayer to foot your legal bills!!!!!!

Toronto Resident
said

It is a known fact that Shiites defame and insult the first 3 Chalipate of Islam who are immensely revered by the majority of Muslims known as Sunni. Being from Iran [a Shiite country], I am aware of the rituals performed by Shiites that is cumulative to cursing of those figures and thus a huge affront to majority of Muslims. I am positive that the provocation of Saudi religious police is due the involvement of this gentleman in such rituals. You can not expect people go to other countries and insult the ones that they revere most and get away with it.

Johny Q
said

Wahhabism is a curse on Muslims and on mankind. We have all seen the terrorist face of Wahhabism which has has zero tolerance for other Muslim sects, let alone non-Muslims. And we call the Saudis an "ally". This is the kind of double standard that gives us a bad name. remember this is the same country that does not allow women to vote, to drive or to travel without male consent!

Rabbi David Mivasair
said

Thank you, CTV, for following this. I know Shaykh Usama Al-Atar personally. We were together in many events when he lived in the Vancouver area and enjoyed many long and thoughtful conversations over the years. He came and spoke in our Ahavat Olam Synagogue and encouraged everyone in his Muslim community to be open to us. He is a very kind-hearted devout man of great integrity. I trust him like a brother. My guess is that what got him into trouble in this case is that he has had the courage to speak out when things need to be said and is not intimidated into silent conformity. I am confident that whatever he did or said, he did with great respect and guidance from God. I hope and pray that he will emerge from this experience only stronger and clearer and that his example will inspire more and more of us to be like him in this way.

openAbook
said

its disconcerting to read the comments here. is anyone cultured or versed in world religion and/or history?

he was targetted because he's a SHIA muslim at the most holy muslim site in the world that is run by a very stringent sunni regime at that.

verse yourselves or be ashamed of yourselves.

dreamingofpeace
said

sherry ottawa: do you have any idea what you just uttered? "maybe he'll pick where he goes in the future?"

the Imam went to Hajj; one of the most safe, and holy, places in the world. if a catholic priest had been held and beaten by the Israeli police at the temple mount -- i'm sure you'd expect some kind of communication/movement on our part. consider the facts, please and then speak.

Fed up
said

He is not a fully fledged normal Canadian guy. Jump into the melting pot first!Multiculturalism is a sham. We need to stop encouraging it.

Arab Canadian
said

@Canadian Muslim , Well said.

Jenna in Cambridge, ON
said

@Hussein In Hamilton, First, you are obviously NOT named Hussein because if you were, you would know that it is a religious obligation for Muslim's to make a pilgrimage to Mecca & Medina at least once in their lives, if at all possible. So, I doubt the Imam was there to party. I'm pretty sure partying is outlawed under the Wahabi clowns of Saudia Arabia. Second, we are free citizens with the right to do and travel where ever we want so if you want to cower in your little fox hole in Hamilton (that's a place of beauty!) then by all means, YOU DO THAT. But, if other Canadians want to travel in the world, that is none of your business. Third, under Harper & his conservative Klan , he has dismantled all rights as citizens and has told the world that Canada does not care about it's people. If this guy was American, the embassy would have been raising hell to protect their own. The right wing loons, I am asking you to put aside your' emotional hysteria and actually get educated on the legalities of citizenship and rights & responsibilities of being a Canadian citizen. If we want this nation to survive than being a citizen of this country must mean something and have some value otherwise there is no benefit for people to want to move their lives and families and futures to this place.

Prince
said

First of all this Holy city is suppose to be a calm, relaxing and very spiritual atmosphere where everyone is loving and caring for one another not looking at SHIA AND SUNNI SO FORTH. Some ignorant white man wrote "who cares if he is in Jail?" Mr.Calgary Racist-white boy he is a Canadian born citizen and his rights to gain council and access to his Canadian rights are just the basics for being a Canadian citizen which he is obliged to use and retain at any time he should need. It is very sad the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia still follows old and ignorant Pre-Arabian Pagan beliefs which were destroyed after the Prophet of Islam came into the life of Islam. He created EQUAL RIGHTS FOR MUSLIMS, NON MUSLIMS, MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Everyone was equal. It is sad the Saudi government allows such negative actions to occur especially targetting Shia Muslims. Ignorance kills and so does silence. Speak up against such negative behaviour and create an uproar so that these incompotent evil powers can be crushed rather than crushing the public. Good Day to everyone!

Karl
said

@John from Calgary.
This is news because the guy is Canadian. The guy was targeted (apparently) because of his religion. If you were in a foreign country and you were arrested and beaten because of your religion (or anything else for that matter), I'm guessing that you would hope that we heard about it in the news too..

Stay There
said

People who go to the middle east and get caught up in their police-state system get what they deserve. Stay out of that hell-hole and this kind of stuff won't happen to you. Just stay away from that degenerate part of the world is my advice.

my friend is black
said

My good friend is black, yet he told me years ago that there are places in Watts County and Harlem that he cannot go for fear of violence. You see, according to the ' local black zealots' rules in those areas he is not dark enough black. It's the same with these Muslims. You may be a Muslim, but if the local zealots don't think you are Muslim enough you are in trouble. As well, this does show the thin veneer claiming Muslims are a peaceful religious people. They believe that if you are not Muslim you are an infidel and they are religiously bound to rid the world of infidels. Beware the ' peaceful ' Muslims in your own communities.

George V.
said

It's not safe to be in the Middle East countries. Every one of these countries are having political or religious problems.. The police, army under cover agents will attack anyone and everyone no matter what religion or nationality and they will use any excuse for these attacks. The only way you can feel perfectly safe is to stay out of them. If you avoid these countries there will be no need to criticize the Canadian Government, our embassies in these countries or their staff for not coming to your aid within 15 minutes after you have been arrested on some trumpt up charge.

Frank
said

This is good news that he is out. I noticed some comments about Sharia Law. This is not sharia law. The reason why people oppose sharia law is because of savage countries like Saudi Arabia. They claim to practice it but they do not. The funny thing is the North American system uses many of the sharia laws, but when people hear sharia, they think hand chopping, stoning to death and other barbaric acts that these middle east countries are doing and claiming its sharia. please study the actual law and don't think that these countries are the representatives of this law. Let me tell you that it actually gives more rights to women then the North American law. It amazes me how many ignorant people are out there, where instead of reading a book they get their information from any joe blow from the streets

Gundula Baehre
said

I still say that there should be some serious consequences for Saudi Arabia because of this. And I still would like to see Saudi embassy staff in Ottawa face consequences, serious and uncomfortable consequences (their so-called diplomatic immunity notwithstanding).

Gundula Baehre
said

To John from Calgary,This was and is news!! And to say "who cares" well that just shows what an inhumane, unenlightened attitude you have, sigh. He is a human being, and as a human being he is entitled to respect (and he is obviously more of a human being than you and yours will ever be).

oddmeleee
said

If you go to countries where there is sharia law --you got there by yourself-- get out by yourself --do not have the Canadian government get involved. Saudia Arabia is a fanatic country --stay out --

sanfoor
said

@canadian muslim: you are probably right; actually I saw him in a video protesting the crackdown on Bahrain uprising (mostly by majority shia against sunni ruling family); that could explain it as well.@Sarwat Makkani: speaking about straight fact, fatima is not the only child; and from where did get that he was arreseted because of the mourning? because i read many news outlets regarding that story and all of them failed to report why it happened!@remi: i do have strong evidence that it's part of shia belief to say that the first 3 caliphes are at best very astray, at worst desbelievers; some of Shia are more sensible than others that's all. if you want i can give you as many links to videos, websites and books as you like about the subject.

Sherry Ottawa
said

He's released - end of story. Maybe he will pick where he goes in the future and will learn of which places not to go. There is so much you should check on and just because you can do or say anything in Canada does not mean you can do this anywhere else. Let's not turn everything that Muslims do - to Muslims or anyone else into a "let's sue the Cdn Govt now" thing. We are getting tired of this. Now let's get onto some really important news.

URU
said

Anyone regardless of their rigelious or political backgrounds should not be in another country trying to get themselves involved in that countries affairs. In doing so they should face the laws of that country if found guilty.

Daniel
said

Sanctions should be brought against Saudi Arabia if these acts of violence and terror continue on Canadian citizens.

Lz in Edmonton
said

Interesting. Even if you are muslim and an Imam, you will get your **S whopped by the religious police in Saudi Arabia if you are not from there. I guess the spring revolution hasn't caught up there yet. Must be all that clean oil revenue and so called, ethical oil. Nah....

irma1957
said

Wanna come home now??

Daniel
said

This is another example of failure from our government who refuses to help it's people with basic humanitarian rights while family's and children travel abroad . All too often this kind of thing happens someone gets arrested and beaten and our government does nothing to help but collect it's big fat pay-check of $500k or more. We need to demand that our government step up and protect it's citizens . Even if it takes a protest march in every major city and on House of Commons.

Hussein In Hamilton
said

Here's an Idea...... and Im going out on a limb here....How about you STAY OUT OF SAUDI ARABIA ! If you are dumb enough to go to these countries then you should be ready to be treated like crap by the fanatics that run the dirt hole.

Devil's Advocate
said

I will use this as an excuse not to bash Islam, but absolutely bludgeon to a pulp Sharia Law! Any law based on a single religion's values will only breed hate and therefore, racism. ANYONE who stands up for such an order deserves to be questioned, ESPECIALLY when it concerns a Canadian Citizen. We chose not to live this way, and although I cannot speak for the law of Saudi Arabia, but to beat a man for a day and then release him is classic state intimidation. I really doubt religion was the only major factor here. We weren't born yesterday!

remi
said

@sanfoor, i think you'll find that most shias do not "insult" sunni beliefs! we merely disagree yet respect them! please do not try assume that he was insulting anyone without having any strong evidence.Furthermore please stop conveying the wrong message! we all come under one umbrella and that is ISLAM! we should be in unity in these times.. Not falsely accusing anyone! One of my closest friends is a sunni! so please stop generalising this view! Thank you!

John from Calgary
said

Who cares if the guy is in jail, out of jail, beaten or not beaten. Why is this even news?

Adam
said

First I feel religion is like slavery; you follow these 'rules' and have a distorted view of the world and other people. Second, I love the way our leaders pander and bow to the scum that rule these countries. This guy needs a lot of luck.

J.C.
said

As long as these countries remain under Sharia Law I do not see a chance for them to have a true democracy. The laws of Sharia go back centuries and are very outdated. In a true democracy people have the right to state their opinions on everything whether it be religion or politics. After all everyone has different opinions. In Canada we have a multitude of various religions and we do not have any government religious police running around keeping an eye on any of them to make sure they adhere to to the rules. It is left to the people and their own conscience to determine right from wrong as far as religious sins go. Only laws we have to adhere to are written in the criminal code for all religions to follow. I think this fellow if he did not know beforehand, will now certainly understand the difference between a country like Canada and Saudi, or any other country where Sharia law is upheld. The truth is that religion and politics just do not mix.

Sarwat Makkani
said

To Mr. Sanfoor, He was not arrested because he was insulting the first three caliphs or Prophet's Wife Bibi Aisha. He was arrested because he was mourning the atrocities on Bibi Fatima (Prophet's ONLY daughter/child). Please get your facts straight next time before speculation. Thank you.

Bob in Chatham
said

I thought that "language" police were terrible ! The very fact that they have "religious " police would be enough to convince me never to visit that country .Somehow we still haven't shaken off the dark ages ideology.

Canadian Muslim
said

Sanfoor: Your analysis is 100% correct. This, however, does not explain why such a thing happened only this year. Shia muslims go for Hajj every year and things are usually very peaceful. It is even more surprising that a Canadian Shia gets arrested because Canadians know very well all the religious sensitivities and how any wrong word can cause serious reaction. My feeling is that this is more related to the Arab spring especially that the Saudis issued before Hajj strong warning for anyone talking in politics. I am a Sunni like you and I pray for the safe release of this man.

Jordan Melzer
said

Dr Al-Atar is also a nano-technology post-doctoral fellow at U of A. I've never met him, but from what's available online it looks like he's a very bright, spiritual person. His "crime" appears to be publishing poetic praise for the notion of universal human rights and its expression in the "arab spring".It's worth checking out Usama's website:http://www.usamaalatar.net/index.htmlFor what he does in the daytime, check out his preceptor's research website:http://www.chem.ualberta.ca/~buriak/people.htmlIt would appear our consulate's love for human rights significantly lags Dr. Al-Atar's. If Canada is doing nothing to defend Dr. Al-Atar, I don't see it offering any kind of protection to any Canadian visiting Saudi Arabia.

5th Generation Canadian
said

And where's our Canadian Government? No announcement? No action? Please, let Canada, this time, stand up for one of her own.

elihu
said

What this incident shows is the fundamental problem with "spiritism", the belief in stuff that just ain't there, and the the theocracies that pretend its real.This incident would not have happened at all if people did not insist on delusional behaviour.

MHB
said

I hope that Islamophobes will not take this as a chance to bash Muslims, Sharia law, etc. The victim here is also a Muslim and this incident has nothing to do with religion. It is simply a matter of a dictatorship that is trying to severely punish any criticism.

sanfoor
said

Just to give some background to this story; this Imam is from the Shia , a muslim denomination (that has under itself a number of other sub-denomanations), they represent around 10% of all muslims; and it's not a secret that they do not get along with Sunna denomination (the other 90%) very well.Since Saudis are sunni we can start to understand what happened. Saudi s are in fact one of staunch ennemies of Shia.Among other things, Shia are known to insult revered Sunna figures, amongst them the 3 1st Caliphs (rulers) that came after the prophet and also his wife Aisha; Since he was caught in a cemetry where one of these figures could be buried it is possible that they caught him public.y insulting them.(By the way I'm a from Sunna)

M R (Ontario)
said

Saudi Arabia practices the same brand of Islam ie Wahabism, which created monsters like Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda and Taliban. It is scary what this Canadian is going through. He has already been incarcerated, tortured and who knows what. I hope that Canadian government has influence enough to get him home safely - however I am not that confident :-(Concerned Torontonian

The Truth Hurts!
said

Unfortunately, this man should not depend on any help from the Canadian government. Mr. Harper's government never interfered to help Canadian Muslims if they run in trouble during traveling. Actually, it is well known that Canada is the ONLY country in the world that does not express any critcism when its citizens are mistreated while visiting relatives in Israel or in the occupied Palestinian territories! Even the UN condemned our government for that! In Canada, as everyone knows, there are Canadians and there are those other Canadians!

Canadian Muslim
said

Well, as a Canadian Muslim I condemn in the strongest possible words the brutality of the Saudi regime! This man did nothing wrong and most likely someone wrote a negative report about his political opinions of the Saudi dictatorship. After the success of the revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, the rest of the Middle Eastern dictatorships are now very hostile to anyone who would utter a word of criticism. All Canadian Muslim organizations condemned the Saudis for arresting and torturning this man.

Jazz
said

Absolutely disgusting. I supposed is isn't "Muslim" enough for these thugs hding behind their badges? This says a lot about Saudi Arabia and their Sharia Law.

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