Welcome Back, Maher Arar

It's good to know that the unfortunate Maher Arar has re-discovered himself. That he has managed, with the help of his indomitable and loyal wife, Monia Mazigh, to shed the nightmares that tormented him in the aftermath of his incarceration and torture in Syria. That the government of Canada saw its responsibility in admitting its agencies were at fault in the tragedy that befell this family must have helped the healing process.

We could do no less. Having done too little at such a critical time for the man and his family.

Explicable, in a sense. In that the time in question represented a period of confusion and fear-mongering. Mr. Arar presented a profile currently under great suspicion and little tolerance. His innocent and unfortunate acquaintance with other individuals also under suspicion by Canada's intelligence and police agencies conspired to make of him an unwilling but defenceless victim of circumstances.

It could happen to anyone. If the conditions are right. If they happen to fall into a category representing a type that elicited public suspicion in a backlash of a violently cataclysmic event in our otherwise-stable lives.

His puzzled hurt had the effect of accentuating his victimhood. His wife's strong response of non-acceptance of the situation, mustering all her strength of character to enlist and enroll the assistance of human-rights activists brought justice to an instance of grave injustice.

Now here they are, out in public and speaking loudly and confidently of what they know to be right and just. Encouraging others to become involved and responsible. Their exteriors are placid, but not resigned; there is an outer confidence in the wake of their dreadful experience. What they still feel on the inside is another matter, and one they will deal with for the rest of their lives.

But it is good to see them, at a remove, for what they represent, and what they in truth, are. Resolute and strong.

Adversity does make people of character stronger. Invited to speak before first-year students of law at University of Ottawa, Maher Arar urges those students to "make pro bono a part of your career from the beginning". Thus will social justice be achieved, making the justice system available to those who cannot afford expensive law fees.

And with the courage of her convictions and the confidence of her daunting experiences, Monia Mazigh also spoke with the purpose at hand of imbuing her audience with the understanding that they too are responsible to make a difference in the society they are a part of: "Create your own difference. It is a matter of looking deep in your soul."

And so it would seem with Maher Arar and Monia Mazigh. Welcome back.