Zain Haq
Mohammad Zain Ul Haq (Zain Haq) | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Citizenship | Pakistan |
| Alma mater | Simon Fraser University |
| Organizations |
|
| Known for | Environmental activism, Civil Disobedience, Nonviolence |
| Spouse | Sophia Jane Papp (married 2023--present) |
Mohammad Zain Ul Haq (Zain Haq) (born January 17, 2001) is a climate change activist, who rose to prominence in Vancouver, Canada, for several campaigns demanding action on the climate crisis.
He successfully led a hunger strike campaign at the Simon Fraser University (SFU) that led the university to divest its investments in fossil fuels projects. He is also known for being a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and the Save Old Growth campaign that demanded an end to old growth logging in British Columbia (BC).
In June, 2022, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) revoked his student visa at the height of his activism, and prior to any low-level criminal charges, stating that Haq was not 'on track to degree completion'[1]; this was done without evidence and resulted in Haq losing status in Canada.[2][3][4] Since then, SFU has since published a letter stating that Haq was on-track for degree completion and is permanently eligible to return to SFU and complete his studies at a future date.
Zain married fellow activist Sophia Jane Papp in 2023 at a community center in Vancouver.
In January, 2025, Zain was deported from Canada to Pakistan for his involvement in climate change activism despite prior Ministerial intervention by former Immigration Minister, Marc Miller.
There is now a campaign[5] to convince the Canadian government to bring Zain back to Canada in recognition of his care for Canadian wildlife.
Zain's supporters believe that his deportation has raised questions about the disproportionate power of law enforcement and civil bureaucracy at the expense of elected officials.
Biography
Haq is originally from Karachi, Pakistan, where the 12-year-old began his climate activism by raising funds for the victims of the 2013 Pakistan–Afghanistan floods.[6] In 2019, he moved to Canada to study economics at Simon Fraser University, in British Columbia. He joined local branches of several environmental groups, including Extinction Rebellion and later co-founded Save Old Growth.[7]
In November 2021, Simon Fraser University announced that it would be divesting from fossil fuels after a group of students including Haq threatened a hunger strike.[8]
Haq has been arrested multiple times in relation with his climate activism. In September 2021, he was arrested for blocking tree clearing for the Trans Mountain pipeline, being sentenced to 14 days imprisonment for criminal contempt of court.[7] In October 2021, he was arrested after taking part in a demonstration blocking the main road to the Vancouver International Airport, being sentenced to 6 days imprisonment and two months of house arrest.[6]
In connection with his arrests for his climate activism, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is seeking to deport Haq, which would make him one of the first cases in Canadian history of a climate activist being deported.[6][9] In June 2022, the CBSA issued a warrant for his arrest, accusing him of violating his student visa and ordering him to leave Canada voluntarily.[10] His student visa has been revoked.[11]
References
- ^ Jan. 20, Karan Saxena; Read, 2025<img Height="15" Width="15" Class="inline-Icon" Alt="clock" Src="https://Thenarwhal ca/Wp-Content/Themes/the-Narwhal/Assets/Icons/Time-Outline svg" Aria-Hidden="true" /> 8 Min (2025-01-20). "Why is climate activist Zain Haq facing deportation — again?". The Narwhal. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ McCarthy, Joe (15 February 2022). "This Climate Activist Is Going to Prison. And He's Ready to Go Back as Often as It Takes". Global Citizens. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "B.C. climate protester sentenced for mischief, breach". Vancouver Is Awesome. 2023-07-06. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ^ Lane, Patricia (2022-02-07). "Zain Haq willing to go to jail if it helps save the planet". Canada's National Observer. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ a b c Fu, Jessica (31 October 2023). "He Devoted His Life to the Climate Movement. Now It Could Get Him Deported". The Nation. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ a b Ballard, Joel (27 October 2022). "On the line: These activists risked their freedom to inspire action on the climate crisis". CBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ Smith, Charlie (15 November 2021). "Rebel for life: SFU student Zain Haq makes a case that only peaceful civil disobedience can stave off climate breakdown". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ Web, Peak (January 23, 2023). "SFSS Council protests student facing deportation". The Peak.
- ^ Baker, Rochelle (21 June 2022). "Save Old Growth organizer turns himself in to Canada Border Services Agency". The National Observer. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Extinction Rebellion protester handed 7-day jail sentence, also facing CBSA removal order". British Columbia. 2023-07-13. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-09.