Huda Mukbil is a Canadian former security intelligence operative and prominent social activist.[1]
Early life
editHuda Mukbil was born to a wealthy family in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, 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
editShe joined Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) shortly after the September 11 attacks and became the first "Black Arab-Canadian Muslim spy".[4] In 2005 she worked with MI5 to interpret telephone conversations of London bombing suspect Hamdi Isaac who spoke Arabic and Harari language.[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]
Huda entered politics running at the 2021 Canadian federal election as an New Democratic Party nominee in the Ottawa South riding.[9]
In 2023 she released her new book titled "Agent Of Change: My Life Fighting Terrorists, Spies and Institutional Racism".[10]
Personal life
editHuda Mukbil is of Harari and Yemeni background. She is also a Muslim.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ Hammond, Joseph. Ex-employee alleges discrimination over Muslim faith at Canada’s top spy agency. Broadview.
- ^ Diversity and Inclusion: A National Security Imperative. University of Ottawa.
- ^ Mukbil, Huda. Agent of Change My Life Fighting Terrorists, Spies, and Institutional Racism. McGill-Queen's University Press. pp. 3–4.
- ^ Paradkar, Shree. She was a Muslim spy at the forefront of CSIS’s fight against terrorism. Then, she turned whistleblower. Toronto Star.
- ^ Veil of Secrecy: The Muslim-Canadian Spy Who Took Down London Extremists. SPYSCAPE.
- ^ Burke, Ashley. A Muslim former intelligence officer says systemic racism at CSIS is a threat to national security. CBC NEWS.
- ^ Mukbil, Huda. Book excerpt: Huda Mukbil writes on racism at CSIS, Canada's spy agency. Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ CSIS whistleblowers faced hurdles seeking justice and telling their stories. CityNews.
- ^ Khan, Tamanna. First time Ottawa South NDP candidate fights for an equitable Canada. Capital Current.
- ^ "BOOK TALK | Huda Mukbil- Agent of Change". McGill-Queen's University Press.
- ^ Hamamdijan, Daniel. Huda Mukbil, CSIS's first Black Arab-Canadian Muslim spy, opens up about her fight against terrorism and discrimination. CTV NEWS.
- ^ Mukbil, Huda. Agent of Change My Life Fighting Terrorists, Spies, and Institutional Racism. McGill-Queen's University Press. p. 30.