When Ayman Soliman fled Egypt and sought asylum in the U.S., he left behind his wife, child and the life he knew and loved. “I didn’t come to America seeking a better life, I was escaping death,” he said in a recent interview.
In Egypt, Ayman had worked as a journalist documenting the Arab Spring uprising—work that resulted in his arrest and persecution. The U.S. government deemed his fear was well-founded and granted asylum in 2018, after which Ayman settled in southwest Ohio and began working as a Muslim chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. By all accounts, he was a beloved member of the staff and of Cincinnati’s interfaith community.
Then in July of this year, Ayman was arrested by ICE during a routine immigration check-in. He was jailed for 73 days, without explanation, and his detention sparked an unwavering outcry that paved the way for his release.
Ayman will join us at the Festival of Faiths on 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃. 𝟭𝟯, 𝗮𝘁 𝟯 𝗽.𝗺. to discuss what happens when one’s sense of belonging is shattered — only to be restored by an outpouring of love from friends and strangers alike. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘, but registration is required. Learn more about all that’s on tap at this year’s festival, where we’ll explore 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨: https://festivaloffaiths.org/