Monia Mazigh is best known as the wife of Maher Arar. A resident of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, she was the New Democratic Party candidate for the riding of Ottawa South, a traditionally Liberal riding, in the 2004 federal election. [1]

Born and raised in Tunisia, she emigrated to Canada in 1991. Mazigh first entered the public spotlight when her husband was deported to Syria in 2002 by the US government, on suspicion of terrorist links. He was tortured and held without charge for over a year before being returned to Canada. Mazigh joined with a number of human rights groups to press the government for his release. She appeared frequently in the media and was widely respected for her tireless efforts.

Mazigh has a doctorate in finance from McGill University and speaks French and Arabic fluently and English conversationally. She was also courted by the Liberals, but chose the NDP which was more in line with her social values and had been the most emphatic of all parties in calling for her husband's release. She had also reportedly grown personally close with NDP foreign affairs critic, and former federal leader, Alexa McDonough.

She ran against but lost to Liberal candidate David McGuinty, the brother of Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty. Despite finishing 3rd, her 8,080 votes were the highest the NDP has ever won in Ottawa South- federally or provincially.

She and her husband have two young children.

External link

• Monia Mazigh campaign website