Calls for Justice Grow After Arrest of Egyptian-American Imam Ayman Soliman in Ohio
Detention of respected Cincinnati Children's chaplain sparks protests, legal challenges, and fears of deportation to Egypt.
Over 13 people were arrested following a protest in Cincinnati, Ohio, against the recent detention of Muslim cleric Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant and respected chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The protest, which took place on Thursday night, included demonstrators blocking the Roebling Bridge connecting Ohio and Kentucky. Video footage showed one police officer punching a protester as others were being restrained. Among those arrested were at least two journalists.
The demonstration was sparked by the arrest of Ayman Soliman, who was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during what was supposed to be a routine check-in at the Department of Homeland Security. Soliman had been listed on a federal terror watchlist despite having no criminal record, leading to fears that he may face deportation.
Who is Imam Ayman Soliman?
Ayman Soliman, 51, previously served as an imam in Egypt for 14 years before fleeing to the United States in 2014. In June 2018, he was granted political asylum due to documented persecution related to his past work as a journalist during the Arab Spring uprising. His legal team states that he had been imprisoned and tortured for reporting on political unrest in Egypt. His wife and child remain in Egypt.
Soliman initially worked as a prison chaplain in Oregon before being removed from his post due to an unexplained designation added to his profile by the FBI. In response, he filed a lawsuit seeking to challenge and remove the label. In 2021, he was hired as the first Muslim chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where colleagues and families praised his emotional and spiritual support for patients, especially those from multicultural and Arabic-speaking backgrounds.
Why Was He Arrested?
In late 2024, U.S. officials began proceedings to revoke Soliman’s asylum due to his past board membership in an organization called Al-Jam’iyya Al-Shar’iyya, which was alleged to have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. While the Muslim Brotherhood is not designated as a terrorist organization in the United States, Soliman’s affiliation with the group was suddenly flagged after years of legal residency.
Soliman’s attorneys argue that this is a retaliatory move by authorities who were aware of his affiliations when his asylum was granted. They emphasize that the organization in question is a nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid and has never been officially labeled a terrorist group.
The asylum revocation was finalized in June 2025. On July 9, Soliman was arrested during his routine ICE check-in. He is currently detained in Butler County Jail, awaiting a court hearing.
Legal and Community Response
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR Ohio) condemned the arrest and called it an abuse of power. In a public statement, CAIR emphasized Soliman’s longstanding lawful residency, his vital role in the community, and the grave danger he may face if deported to Egypt.“This is not only a violation of legal due process but a betrayal of the principles of justice,” said CAIR Ohio Executive Director Khaled Tourani. “Imam Ayman has been a compassionate servant of the Cincinnati community. Detaining him without clear explanation is both cruel and unjust.”
CAIR attorney Bilal Ahmed added, “Imam Ayman fled arbitrary detention in Egypt, and now he faces the same risk in the United States. We are committed to defending him with every legal tool available.”
Soliman’s legal team has secured a temporary restraining order to prevent his transfer out of Ohio until at least his next bail hearing, scheduled for Wednesday. He is expected to appear virtually before an immigration judge on Tuesday.
