Soliman Freed from ICE Detention After Jewish Activism
After more than two months in federal custody, local imam Ayman Soliman was quietly released from the Butler County ICE facility, with his asylum status reinstated ahead of a scheduled October court date. The Department of Homeland Security cited privacy restrictions and declined to comment on the decision.
Soliman’s attorneys say the case unraveled due to inconsistencies in the evidence—specifically around his past affiliation with an Egyptian charity reportedly tied to the Muslim Brotherhood, but not listed on any U.S. terror watch list.
His release followed a coordinated advocacy campaign that included public statements from the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, a challah bake fundraiser organized by the local activist group Shema Cincinnati, and a “Jewish Community Gathering” hosted by Beth Adam and Temple Sholom.
But the campaign also sparked concern in parts of the Jewish community, particularly among families with ties to Israel and students at the University of Cincinnati who reported rising antisemitism and intimidation. Last year, UC sanctioned Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) after multiple incidents; since then, the group has moved events to the Clifton Mosque, where Soliman serves as imam.
On September 14, that mosque hosted a “Martyrs Workshop” honoring a Palestinian journalist killed in Gaza. The event was promoted by organizations that have described Gaza as a “concentration camp” and voiced support for armed resistance against Israel.
As Soliman’s release marks the end of a campaign, this moment offers a chance to reflect—not only on who we stood up for, but how we move forward together.
