http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...sted-clock-standout-citizen-article-1.2363466
Father of Muslim teen arrested for clock previously battled Fla. Koran burner, has run for president of Sudan twice
BY Nina Golgowski
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 9:46 PM
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Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed is seen next to his 14-year-old son, Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested on Monday for bringing a homemade clock to his Texas high school. Brandon Wade/AP
Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed is seen next to his 14-year-old son, Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested on Monday for bringing a homemade clock to his Texas high school.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
The father of the Muslim teenager, who was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school, is a Sudanese immigrant who went from selling New York City hot dogs to twice running for president in his native country.
Mohamed ElHassan, who stood beside his son Ahmed Mohamed Wednesday and expressed how "proud" he is of him, grew up in an African village before moving to the U.S. to achieve the American dream, the North Dallas Gazette reported.
"Once I realized my dream was bigger than what Sudan had to offer I immigrated to America in the mid-1980s," the father of seven told the paper in February.
Though college educated, the hardworking dad said his philosophy degree from Cairo University wasn't accepted in the states, so he had to start from the ground up ? first hitting the streets of New York as a vendor before moving his family to Dallas and working as a taxi driver, all while taking classes at a community college.
ElHassan went on to create his own taxi company which he later sold to Yellow Cab, he said.
The Sudanese immigrant has gone from selling New York City hot dogs to owning his own taxi company and twice running for president in Sudan. mohamedforpresident/via YouTube
The Sudanese immigrant has gone from selling New York City hot dogs to owning his own taxi company and twice running for president in Sudan.
One of the earliest instances of the standout citizen making national news was in 2011, when he sensationally stood up to an anti-Islamic pastor and defended the Koran as its defense attorney. That mock trial at a Florida church ended with the book's burning, to ElHassan's claimed shock.
In an interview with the Washington Post at the time, the devoted Muslim said he'd take on Rev. Terry Jones' challenge because the holy book teaches that Muslims should engage in peaceful dialogue with Christians.
He also admitted that he wanted to take his family to nearby Disney World and "kill two birds with one stone."
That wasn't his only instance of fame back then.
In 2010, and again this year, the busy dad was nominated and ran for president of his native North African country from his home in Texas.
Muslim Whiz Kid Arrested
NY Daily News
"Mr. ElHassan is no stranger to adversity and experienced hardship firsthand, and during his lifetime has cultivated a deep sense of humanitarianism, tolerance and patience," his latest campaign's website read.
He further credited a Sufi spiritual leader and mentor in Africa for inspiring him with "wisdom and leadership."
Today, ElHassan serves as a mentor at Jack E. Singley Academy High School in Irving and also as the vice president of the National Reform Party in Sudan, the Gazette reported.
"We have been here in this house for more than 30 years. We love it. We love all the people here," he said Wednesday while standing beside his family outside their Irving, Texas home.
Among his many accomplishments, one of his proudest, he said, is having raised his 14-year-old son.
AP PROVIDES ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICLY DISTRIBUTED HANDOUT PHOTO PROVIDED BY IRVING POLICE /AP
This is the digital clock which was mistaken as a bomb earlier this week.
"I'm proud of him," he said before crediting him as "a very smart, brilliant boy."
"He fixed my car, my electricity, my phone, my TV, his go-cart, my computer. I swear it's the truth," he gushed.
Despite his upset with local police and school administers' handling of his son, he continued to speak highly of his country.
"I'm grateful to the United States of America," he said. "What's happening is touching the heart of everyone who has children, and that is America."
ElHassan recognized that all people make mistakes but said that the treatment that his son experienced, "in front of his friends and his teacher inside of his school ? that is not America. That is not us. That is not like us."
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ngolgowski@nydailynews.com
