The mother of a convicted ISIS terrorist who plotted to 'create the next 9/11' is running for public office in Canada.

Dr Khdiga R Metwally is on the ballot for Halton District School Board Ward 1 and 2 trustee, about 30 miles outside Toronto.

Her son, Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, is serving a 40-year prison sentence in the United States for plotting an ISIS terrorist attack in New York City during the summer of 2016.

Metwally told the Daily Mail that her son is mentally ill and she 'rejects violence and extremism in all forms.'

'I have never supported any violent act committed by my son or anyone else,' she said.

'My candidacy should be evaluated on my qualifications, my previous experience in education, my plans to serve students and families in Milton, and the strong endorsements I have received from educators, community leaders, and respected members of the community.' 

El Bahnasawy, who was 20 at the time, pleaded guilty to terrorism charges and admitted to being inspired to 'create the next 9/11.'

'He planned to detonate bombs in Times Square and the New York City subway system, and to shoot civilians at concert venues,' US Attorney Geoffrey S Berman said at the time.

'Demonstrating his commitment to carry out the attacks, El Bahnasawy pinpointed bomb locations on a map of the subway system, and acquired an array of bomb-making materials.'

El Bahnasawy used encrypted electronic messaging applications to plot with other men to conduct bombings and shootings in heavily populated areas of New York City during the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan in 2016, all in the name of ISIS, according to prosecutors.

He acquired the bomb-making materials and helped secure a cabin within driving distance of the Big Apple to use for building explosive devices and staging the attacks.

An undercover FBI agent infiltrated the group and arrested El Bahnasawy after he traveled to New York from Canada in May 2016.

On December 7, 2020, while serving his 40-year sentence, El Bahnasawy stabbed two correctional officers at a federal prison in Pennsylvania.

He stabbed one officer in the head and face, and the other in the hand with a weapon made from part of a steel desk in his cell, according to the US Attorney's Office.

The first officer eventually lost his right eye as a result of the attack.

When El Bahnasawy was restrained, a note was found in his sock that read: 'This is a terrorist attack for the Islamic State.'

El Bahnasawy pleaded guilty to charges related to the attack in November 2025 and is facing additional sentencing.

Metwally previously told the Toronto Sun that the charges against him were 'fabricated' and claimed he was manipulated by the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

A review by Canada's National Security and Intelligence Review Agency in 2024 determined the RCMP acted in good faith, CBC News reported.

Her campaign website states that she is a certified human development instructor and she supports 'safe and welcoming learning environments.'

In an interview with Milton Today, Metwally said her 'children attended public schools through every stage,' although she did not name her son and he is not mentioned on her website.

Metwally is running against Andrew Wood, a pastor at Southside Community Church.

He told Milton Today that he believes the public school system needs to be about a ‘classical education’ and move away from politics and religion.