Joseph Attar is home!

Persecuted and convicted of bogus charges after being tortured into a confession, he’s back safely in Canada after 15 years. Majed El Shafie welcomed him earlier this morning at Pearson Airport.

You can read more about this great news in the Globe and Mail here. You can also watch CTV News here and CBC News here.

After 15 years in an Egyptian prison, persecuted for his Christian faith and his identity, convicted of bogus charges after being tortured into a forced confession, Joseph Attar is home on Canadian soil.

It was such a relief to welcome Joseph Friday morning at Toronto Pearson International Airport. One Free World International was on hand to help him collect his life’s positions in three bags and begin to rebuild his life.

Since 2016, we have been advocating for Joseph to ensure this day would come.

We have met with Members of Parliament, the government, and the Egyptian embassy.

With your help, we took his case to the media to raise the profile and pressure on the Egyptian government for him to be released.

Your letters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and elected officials demanding that he be released made sure Joseph was not forgotten.

I know exactly what he went through, as a former prisoner in Egypt who faced persecution for converting to Christianity. I know his pain, I know his scars. I know the unjust treatment and persecution that he faced.

There will be challenges as Joseph begins to rebuild his life here in Canada. He needs to stand up on his feet, he needs to find a job and a new home.

Please help us make sure Joseph gets what he needs for this fresh start.

He needs to heal his soul and his mental health from the torture and trauma he’s been unjustly forced to endure over the past 15 years. It will take village of people to support him, and OFWI will be there for him.

This weekend, we are happy and relieved he is home safely. Next week, we will begin the fight with Joseph for justice, but today we are relieved he is back home safely in Canada.

Thank you for standing with us and being a voice for the voiceless. Your support gives us the tools needed to fight for those who are persecuted for their beliefs.

God Bless,

-Majed El Shafie