The issue that highlighted McDonough 's federal leadership , occurred during the twilight of her career : the fight against the Islamophobia and general anti-Arab sentiment that swept through Canada and the United States in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in September 2001 . She led the charge on the national scene to repatriate Mahar Arar , an Arab-Canadian who was wrongly detained as a terrorist by United States border officials , on an erroneous tip from Canada 's secret service . Throughout 2002 and 2003 , McDonough campaigned for his release . When he was released , his wife , Monia Mazigh , joined the NDP and became a candidate for them in the 2004 federal election , out of recognition for the support McDonough and the party showed for her and her husband
9/11
September 11 attacks
Alexa McDonough