Edmonton imam jailed, reportedly beaten at hajj(Canadian)

[CHIMO]

Source: CBC News

The Canadian government is being urged to intervene following the arrest of an Edmonton imam in Saudi Arabia, who witnesses say was attacked by a mob and beaten while attending the hajj.

It's believed Usama Al-Atar, who has a PhD in chemistry and is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Alberta, has been charged with assault. However, Saudi police have not confirmed it.

The attack, which took place at a cemetery in Medina early Sunday morning, was reportedly sparked when religious police approached an international group of pilgrims that included the imam.

Witnesses said angry words were spoken, then things calmed down. That's when a member of the religious police approached Al-Atar, offered to shake his hand and then called out to a group of men at a taxi stand.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/10/30/edmonton-imam-arrested.html