Our Friendly Local Terrorist

by Mary Jo Leddy

Our Friendly Local Terrorist tells the story of the fourteen-year struggle of Suleyman Goven, a Kurd accused by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service of being a terrorist. Mary Jo Leddy was "accidentally" present at Suleyman’s first interview with CSIS. During that eight-hour ordeal he was you work for us as a spy and you'll get your papers; otherwise—there are no s. Mary Jo continued to be a witness to this bizarre and painful process over the following years at judicial and semi-judicial hearings, which finally ruled that Suleyman ought to be given his papers.This moving personal story explores the efficacy of the immigration and security clearance systems in the Canadian government. It also provides an entry into the (often-complex) political dynamics and pressures within Kurdish communities in Canada and elsewhere in the diaspora, and reveals Turkey's role and influence in international relations when the tender of huge business contrac

216 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2010

About the author

Mary Jo Leddy is a Canadian writer, speaker, theologian and social activist.

Leddy is widely recognized for her work with refugees at Toronto's Romero House. She began working for the centre as a night manager in 1991, and has been active in human rights issues and the peace movement. She is an adjunct professor, Regis College, University of Toronto, and an active member of the Ontario Sanctuary Coalition.

In 1973, she was the founding editor of the Catholic New Times, an independent Catholic newspaper.

Leddy was the recipient of a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Toronto with a thesis titled "The Event of the Holocaust and the Philosophical Reflections of Hannah Arendt." She studied under the direction of Emil Fackenheim, and she is currently a Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto, and a board member of PEN Canada and Massey College. After thirty years as a member of the Roman Catholic Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, she left the congregation in 1994.

Leddy received the Human Relations Award of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews in 1987, the Ontario Citizenship Award in 1993, and the Order of Canada in 1996. In 2014, she was awarded the Massey College Clarkson Laureate for Leadership in Social Policy.

She has received several honorary doctorates: D.Lett from York University, Toronto; D.H.Litt from Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax; LL.D from University of Windsor; D.Litt from University of Waterloo, DD from Emmanuel College, University of Saskatchewan; and D.Min. from Catholic Theological Union, University of Chicago.

Her numerous awards include The Governor General’s Bronze Medal; the Canada Council Doctoral Fellowship; the Canadian University Presidents’ Award “Outstanding Young Woman of 1978”; the Ida Nudel Human Rights Award (1983); The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Human Relations Award (1987); Award for Distinguished Contribution, Roman Catholic Communicators of Canada (1990); Best Publication Award, College Theology Society (Canada and USA); The Ontario Citizenship Award (1993); several press awards including best editorial, best news story, best theological reflection, best investigative journalism, best national newspaper, best campaign in the public interest. She has also received the Leighton Studio Residence (twice) Banff School of the Arts Award, Order of Canada (1996) and the Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award (2011).

Reviews

[Scott Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Jo Leddy's reflections on supporting her friend and ally Suleyman Goven who fought against his identification as a terrorist simply for his identity as a Kurd, his union involvement and his community advocacy. This is an easily readable account which is written in a very sympathetic tone. One is left wondering about the other side of the story, where the impetus for targetting this man arose. Those she criticizes in CSIS and other agencies come across as caricatures but that is likely the way they were experienced due to the nature of her engagement with them

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone who thinks people who come to Canada to escape war and terror are treated with compassion. The CSIS rabbit hole that Suleyman Goven fell into in the late 1990s would have killed him if not for the twist of fate that brought Mary Jo Leddy into his life. Many refugees have suffered like he has in silence, and I am sure many continue to be abused by CSIS. Kudos to Leddy for her meticulous account of this injustice, and thank goodness Goven was able to survive this horrendous abuse.

[Fiona Friel]

A must read.

Some shocking insights into a system that is so deeply flawed. Also serves as a lesson in history of the Kurds.