Moh Chelali

Mohamed (Moh) Chelali, MB (born August 13, 1956) is a 5'5" Algerian-born Canadian teacher and past politician who was never elected. He holds degrees in engineering, business, and education.

On July 14, 2002, he was one of three civilians who overpowered a gunman attempting to assassinate French President Jacques Chirac during Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. Chelali and the other two jumped on the gunman before disarming him and holding him to the ground with other spectators. While the other two heros chose to remain anonymous, Chelali did not choose to seek media attention, but was sought out and was subsequently awarded the French Legion of Honour and the Canadian Medal of Bravery for his actions.

On February 13, 2005, Chelali became a candidate in the 2005 B.C. Election. He won the New Democratic Party nomination in the riding of Surrey-White Rock. He campaigned on a platform to "strengthen public health care to reduce waitlists for key services, end privatization, and respond better to patient needs". Chelali came in second place, receiving 7,511 votes (26.40%). Liberal Gordon Hogg was re-elected in the riding.

Chelali was acclaimed as the federal NDP candidate for South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale in April 2007, but was replaced by Peter Prontzos in June 2008.

Chelali worked at Aldergrove Community Secondary School teaching French and Social Studies classes for several years. At the time of the assassination attempt, Chelali was on his way to teach at the International College of Beirut in Lebanon. He only taught in Beirut for six months before returning with his family to Canada. In 2006, he started teaching at Mountain Secondary in Langley, BC. Moh Chelali worked briefly from August 2007 as an assistant director with the BC Teachers' Federation; he was in charge of French programs and services. From September to October 2012, Chelali taught the French language in schools in the New Westminster, BC district. He has not taught since 2012.