He was arrested in 2001 by the Pakistani army while on his way to Afghanistan working for Al Jazeera. He was held in Guantanamo Bay for over six years from June 14, 2002 until April 30, 2008, when he was released without charge to Sudan. While in Guantanamo, Al Hajj went on a hunger strike to protest the conditions. He refused to end his strike until he was released. After his release, he resumed his work with Al Jazeera.