Huda Mukbil is a Canadian former security intelligence operative and prominent social activist.[1]
Early life
editMukbil was born into a middle-class family in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, and her family fled during the Ethiopian Civil War in the 70s. She and her family spent some time in Egypt before immigrating to Canada. She graduated from Carleton University and received a B.A. in Law then obtaining an M.A. in Feminist and Gender Studies from the University of Ottawa.[2][3]
Career
editMukbil joined the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) a month before the September 11 attacks, becoming the first "Black Arab-Canadian Muslim spy".[4] In 2005, she worked with British intelligence service MI5 to interpret telephone conversations of London bombing suspect Hamdi Isaac who spoke Arabic and Harari.[5]
Before leaving her position at CSIS in 2017, she would be part of a seven figure legal action against her employer.[6] She accused CSIS of tolerating racism and sexism within their departments, among other charges.[7][8]
Mukbil entered politics in 2021 Canadian federal election, running as a New Democratic Party nominee in the Ottawa South riding.[9]
In 2023, she released her memoir titled "Agent Of Change: My Life Fighting Terrorists, Spies and Institutional Racism".[10] In 2024 it won the Ottawa Book Award for best non-fiction in its category.[11]
Personal life
editMukbil is a Canadian Citizen of Harari and Yemeni background. She is also a Muslim.[12]
References
edit- ^ Hammond, Joseph (July 9, 2021). "Ex-employee alleges discrimination over Muslim faith at Canada's top spy agency". Broadview Magazine. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Diversity and Inclusion: A National Security Imperative. University of Ottawa.
- ^ Mukbil, Huda (2023). Agent of Change My Life Fighting Terrorists, Spies, and Institutional Racism. McGill-Queen's University Press. pp. 3–4. ISBN 978-0-2280-1656-4.
- ^ Paradkar, Shree (July 19, 2023). "Opinion: She was a Muslim spy at the forefront of CSIS's fight against terrorism. Then, she turned whistleblower". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Veil of Secrecy: The Muslim-Canadian Spy Who Took Down London Extremists. SPYSCAPE.
- ^ Burke, Ashley; Everson, Kristen (June 29, 2021). "A Muslim former intelligence officer says systemic racism at CSIS is a threat to national security". CBC News. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Mukbil, Huda (August 15, 2023). "Book excerpt: Huda Mukbil writes on racism at CSIS, Canada's spy agency". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "CSIS whistleblowers faced hurdles seeking justice and telling their stories". CityNews. November 30, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Khan, Tamanna (August 27, 2021). "First time Ottawa South NDP candidate fights for an equitable Canada". Capital Current. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "BOOK TALK | Huda Mukbil- Agent of Change". McGill-Queen's University Press.
- ^ "Three local writers win 2024 Ottawa Book Awards". City of Ottawa. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Hamamdjian, Daniele (June 4, 2023). "Huda Mukbil, CSIS's first Black Arab-Canadian Muslim spy, opens up about her fight against terrorism and discrimination". CTVNews. Retrieved October 29, 2024.