Muslim Visitor in Ohio Mistakenly Profiled as Supporter of ISIS

Last week, police were dispatched to the Fairfield Inn in Avon, Ohio, after the sister of an employee called police to report that a man was in the hotel lobby "in full head dress with multiple disposable phones pledging his allegiance to ISIS."

The man in question — 41-year-old Ahmed Al Menhali, owner of a business marketing company in the United Arab Emirates — was standing outside the Avon hotel talking on his cell phone in Arabic when he was suddenly ambushed by at least five police officers with guns drawn, yelling at him to get on the ground. After Al Menhali complied, police cuffed him and searched him for weapons. No weapons were found.

The stress of being searched by police officers with guns in a foreign country may have been too much for Al Menhali to handle, as he collapsed shortly after police removed the handcuffs and brought him to his feet. Al Menhali was treated by paramedics and transported to St. John Westshore. He suffered a "light stroke," reports CNN.

According to police statements, officers soon discovered that there had been a miscommunication between the hotel desk clerk and her sister and that Al Menhali never mentioned anything about ISIS.

CNN reports that Al Menhali has been receiving treatment for several medical conditions at the Cleveland Clinic since April. He is in the United States on a tourist visa.

The city of Avon has issued an apology to Al Menhali, which you can read below:

Statement from Avon Mayor Bryan K. Jensen:

The City of Avon, and the Avon Police Department, apologize to Ahmed Al Menhali for the regrettable incident that took place last week in our community. Based on the information our officers had when they answered the 911 call, they took the steps that are part of our police department's standard response protocol. As soon as the facts became clear, our officers apologized to Mr. Al Menhali and released him.

This was a very unfortunate incident and does not reflect our community. Avon is proud to welcome visitors from the United Arab Emirates and other countries, who regularly come to Northern Ohio for tourism, business, medical care or education.

We are reviewing all of the circumstances surrounding this incident to determine if the individual who placed this call could face charges, and we are reviewing the response provided by our officers to determine if we need to make any changes to our 911 protocol.

Marriott International, the parent company of Fairfield Inn and Suites, also issued an apology to Al Menhali, saying:

"This was a terrible misunderstanding and we deeply regret what happened to Mr. Al Menhali," said Jeff Flaherty, senior director of global crisis communications and corporate affairs.

"Diversity and inclusion is a core principle of Marriott's operations and we remain committed to providing a welcoming environment. We have been in regular contact with the hotel since the incident and we will be following up to discuss diversity and inclusion training designed to help prevent this type of situation. "

CNN reports that Al Menhali said he appreciates the apology but he expects more. He wants those responsible for the 911 call to be held accountable.

According to newsnet5.com, the city of Avon will be turning the case over to the county prosecutor who could take further action, including asking a grand jury to consider criminal charges against the clerk.

Al Menhali returned to his apartment in Lakewood on Saturday. However, his landlord has asked him to find alternate accommodations during the week of the upcoming Republican National Convention so the RNC could use the apartment. It's unlikely that he will be staying at the Fairfield Inn in Avon.

See police body-camera footage of the incident in the video below: