Khdiga R. Metwally, the mother of a convicted ISIS terrorist who plotted to carry out an attack in New York City similar to 9/11, is running for a public office in Canada. Metwally is a candidate for Halton District School Board trustee in Milton, Ontario, a suburb approximately 30 miles outside Toronto.
Her son, Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, was 20 years old when he pleaded guilty to terrorism charges and was sentenced to 40 years in a U.S. prison. Prosecutors stated that El Bahnasawy was inspired to "create the next 9/11" and planned to detonate bombs in Times Square and the New York City subway system, as well as shoot civilians at concert venues. He acquired bomb-making materials and secured a cabin to build explosive devices and stage the attacks.
An undercover FBI agent infiltrated the group, leading to El Bahnasawy's arrest in May 2016 after he traveled to New York from Canada. He used encrypted messaging applications to plot with others to conduct bombings and shootings in heavily populated areas of New York City during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in 2016, all in the name of ISIS.
While serving his sentence, El Bahnasawy was involved in another incident. On December 7, 2020, he stabbed two correctional officers at a federal prison in Pennsylvania with a weapon fashioned from a steel desk. One officer lost an eye as a result of the attack. A note found in El Bahnasawy's sock read, "This is a terrorist attack for the Islamic State."
Metwally has previously stated that her son is mentally ill and that she "rejects violence and extremism in all forms." She told the Daily Mail, "I have never supported any violent act committed by my son or anyone else." She added that her candidacy should be evaluated on her qualifications, experience in education, and plans to serve students and families.
However, Metwally had previously told the Toronto Sun that the charges against her son were "fabricated" and claimed he was manipulated by the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A review by Canada's National Security and Intelligence Review Agency in 2024 determined that the RCMP acted in good faith, according to CBC News.
Metwally's campaign website highlights her role as a certified human development instructor and her support for "safe and welcoming learning environments." She stated that her children attended public schools, though her son is not mentioned on her website. She is running against Andrew Wood, a pastor who advocates for a "classical education" in the school system, separate from politics and religion.
