An Iraqi-Jewish refugee has been awarded the Order of Canada, the country's high

[BabylonianJew]

An Iraqi-Jewish refugee has been awarded the Order of Canada, the country's highest honour. (With thanks: Eli)

Jacob Masliyah, one of the top researchers in extracting bitumen from the oilsands, is a Jew born in Iraq who ended up in Canada because this was the only country that would accept him as an immigrant after he had completed his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering in England.

A professor at the University of Alberta, he has been doing oilsands research for 30 years. His projects have a total of $1 million in research grants attached to them.

The irony of fleeing oil-rich Iraq for the oilsands of Alberta is not lost on him, but he never takes the peace of Canada for granted.

"Virtually every day I remind myself how lucky I am, with my family, to be in Alberta and to be in Canada," he said. "Sometimes as Canadians we forget how fortunate we are."

[Din Rodef]

I think it's great that an Iraqi-Jew appreciates his stay in Canada. He sounds like a great guy

But why isn't he in Israel? Shouldn't he have gone to Israel? Did Israel refuse to take him when he was finished with his studies in England?

[MarZutra]

I think it's great that an Iraqi-Jew appreciates his stay in Canada. He sounds like a great guy

But why isn't he in Israel? Shouldn't he have gone to Israel? Did Israel refuse to take him when he was finished with his studies in England?

Very good question Din.  Being from Canada, It is nice because it is a safe nation. The only reason it is safe now, is because Canada doesn't stand for anything anymore.  The last 60 years, since Pierre E. Trudeau, the Communist, stepped into the Parliament offices our nation has been an open bordered fence sitter and exporter of our wealth and resources to other nations... 

Very good question...  He should have gone to Israel, but then again if he is an open and outspoken supporter of Israel agaisnt the Arabs, and is non religious, it might be a blessing that he is in canada to, G-d willing, place some reason and sanity in both Academia and our pro-Arab/Muslim political atmosphere...