Prominent Clifton Mosque Leader Detained by Immigration

A religious leader associated with the Clifton Mosque found himself in immigration custody recent on Wednesday. Ayman Soliman, whose duties extend to serving on the mosque’s board, also carried the distinction of being the premier and sole Muslim consoler at the esteemed Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Ayman embarked on his journey from Egypt to the United States a little more than ten years ago, finding refuge and being granted asylum for over a decade.

However, as of last December, his asylum status was abruptly rescinded for reasons that remain mired in ambiguity. Tala Ali, the Clifton Mosque’s presiding chairperson noted, ‘We should not have to justify our worth as human beings. And in Ayman’s case, he is not just an ordinary human but a pillar of our community’. Ali explained how Soliman was due for a customary ICE check-in that day.

In the midst of such uncertainty, Soliman had sought legal aid, and was under the impression that a formal court hearing to discuss his asylum situation would be organized in the upcoming summer months. Although he arrived at the Blue Ash Homeland Security Office expecting a standard procedure, he was met with an extensive three-hour interrogation, culminating with his detainment.

The entire situation has evoked disappointment among the community and within the leadership of the mosque. ‘It’s profoundly disheartening to witness Mr. Soliman’s unnecessary detainment by ICE officials. We intend to look into this matter further and will put forth an official statement at a more suitable time’, expressed a representative from the mosque.

In a show of solidarity, three state legislators were present to meet Soliman before his scheduled appointment. Representatives Karen Brownlee and Rachel Baker—both representatives of the Cincinnati vicinity, and Representative Munira Abdullahi who hails from the Columbus region, were among his supporters.

Throughout this ordeal, it was visibly evident that Soliman was deeply distressed. ‘He was absolutely terrified of the prospect of being subjected to his past torment in Egypt’, stated Abdullahi. However, for reasons of privacy and confidentiality, the exact details prompting Soliman’s immigration status and asylum revocation were not disclosed; the queries were instead redirected to his legal counsel.

The representative from Columbus area went on to express disappointment in the incident, pointing out that, ‘This certainly doesn’t reflect the democratic values that America promises. Ayman sought refuge here hoping to find safety and tranquility.’ There is still considerable ambiguity regarding his deportation status as ICE hasn’t yet commented on the matter.

Soliman’s advocates have voiced concern over the potential danger Soliman could be exposed to should he be deported back to Egypt, especially so, because his wife and child still reside there. He had been striving to secure their immigration to the United States so they could join him in what he hoped would be a safe haven.

Before this unfortunate series of events, Soliman had been diligently serving as a chaplain at Northwestern University and within a prison system in addition to his duties at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. His academic qualifications include a master’s degree in Islamic Studies, and he was also in the process of pursuing a Master of Divinity as well as a doctorate degree.

A request for a comment from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where Soliman kept his name enlisted as a chaplain until at least the start of February, was met with silence. It remains unknown when his details were erased from the hospital’s online directory, and questions about his present employment status with the hospital have been left unanswered.