Word: abdul
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John Walker Lindh appeared in court last week at a brief proceeding called an identity hearing. It was an appropriate name, since deciding who he is will determine whether he should go to prison for the rest of his life. Maybe he is Abdul Hamid, a name he used when he was a Talib, allegedly one who conspired to kill Americans. Or maybe he's John Walker, a suburban '90s kid who lit out for distant territories both geographic and religious, seeking himself (and taking his mother's maiden name) after his parents' estrangement. In his most recent incarnation...
...serving time for petty theft. Unlike Moussaoui, though, he was not a committed hard-liner when he arrived at the Brixton Mosque the following year. Over time the amiable, eager-to-learn Reid become more extremist and argumentative. He was not seen for a while, according to mosque chairman Abdul Haqq Baker, and when he returned he wore military fatigues and talked about jihad. Moussaoui and Reid, who probably met at the Brixton Mosque, both drifted away in l998, Reid to travel to Pakistan, Europe and the Middle East...
...spent the night at Haji Abdul's headquarters; a few derelict buildings and a dying garden. Over dinner he wanted to talk more about our plans. He too couldn't give soldiers without the governor's permission, "but I must call him at 8pm and I will ask." Later he said he could not make contact, though he did seem better informed about the governor's movements. He began to tell stories about the perils of the road to Baghran, saying "if you paid me $500 I would not give you a vehicle, so badly damaged would...
...Saturday morning Haji Abdul told us the governor was en route from Baghran. "He will come here and see you," he said, convincing us to wait. It was not long. The iron gates flung open and grimy 4x4s zoomed in. Haji Shir Mohammed had arrived. Shorter and younger than I had somehow expected, he told us Baghran was peaceful, the surrender a success. Rais the warlord had forsaken his power. "Rais is an old man, a leader of his tribe and a supporter of the government. He will live in the future as a white-bearded old man and will...
...With that we left. The eight-hour ride over riverbeds was no more comfortable going back. At least we reached Musa Qal'eh shortly after dark. Another night at the Haji Abdul's compound had the men converting us to Islam. "I think you are like a good Muslim because you are happy," said a beefy mujahid with a machine gun dangling from him like it were no more than a scarf. "Can I come to Australia with...