Cover image via Ben Torres/Getty Images
In September, 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed made global headlines when he brought a handmade clock to school to show his teachers
However, his class teacher thought it was a bomb and notified school authorities, who then called the police. Ahmed was detained, questioned and hauled off in handcuffs.
Image via YouTube
At the time, the school said it reacted with caution because the homemade clock that had wires popping out of it from everywhere could have been an "explosive device."
It wasn't. It was just a clock.
In a whirlwind of publicity about the case fueled by social media, #IStandWithAhmed became a trending topic on Twitter, US President Barack Obama invited him to the White House and a foundation offered him a scholarship to study in Qatar.
Image via Mashable
Fast forward to November, his family is now demanding USD15 million from Texas officials, along with an apology for how Ahmed was treated when he brought his homemade clock to school
The family's lawyers said that if their demands for the apologies and compensation were not met, they would file a civil action suit
Image via Ben Torres/Getty Images
The letters claimed Ahmed's civil rights were violated and that he and his family suffered physical and mental anguish. They claim he was singled out because of his "race, national origin, and religion."
Meanwhile, the family, now living in Doha, has traveled the globe to meet foreign dignitaries. Ahmed's father also took him to meet Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir who is accused by the International Criminal Court of masterminding genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes during Sudan's Darfur conflict.
Ahmed Mohamed poses with the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.
Image via Ashraf Shazly/AFP/Getty Images
