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2nd Mac student one of 17 charged 'Good kid' joked, went to prayers

2nd Mac student one of 17 charged 'Good kid' joked, went to prayers

By Marissa Nelson - The Hamilton Spectator - (Jun 23, 2006)

Another McMaster student is one of the 17 men and youths accused of plotting a bombing campaign in downtown Toronto as part of a homegrown terror cell. The 18-year-old was 17 at the time of the alleged crimes and therefore cannot be named because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, but friends confirmed he just finished his first year at McMaster University. At least one person believes he was a friend of Ahmad Ghany, another terror accused. Ghany graduated from McMaster's health sciences program in May.

The teen's lawyer confirmed outside court that he is being held at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre on Barton Street, as is another 15-year-old. In total, there were five teens and 12 adults charged after a massive police sweep that began June 2. Ghany is being held at Milton's Maplehurst Detention Centre. "He's a good kid. He would joke around, come to prayers on Friday," Kareem Mirza, a spokesperson for McMaster's Muslim Student Association, said of the teen. Students were shocked to hear the second man was behind bars. "This is very surprising," he said. "I saw him every other day around campus. He'd be in the student centre, eating pizza, joking around."

While Ghany was known as an introvert, the youth was much more outgoing, Mirza said. He believes the teen was in the health sciences program. Yasmeen Khattab, another Muslim McMaster student, said the teen wouldn't "hurt a fly." She said the teen's close friends were reluctant to speak, but did tell her he participated in study circles and activities at Oakville's Alfalah Islamic Centre for seven years. She said he also went to a Halton region interfaith dialogue and "staunchly opposed violence and terrorism. "It is inconceivable that such a polite, respectful and gentle boy would be involved in any activity to harm others," she said, relaying his friend's comments.

Andrea Farquhar, director of public relations at the university, said she couldn't confirm the teen was a student. Nor would she comment whether the second McMaster revelation suggests there's a campus issue. Farquhar said authorities would have contacted the university if they had concerns. "We haven't had any communication with them," she said. The teen's family was there to show support when he appeared in court earlier this week. They included his older sister, who is a McMaster graduate. The details of the bail hearing are under a sweeping publication ban.

The youth hung his head through the proceedings, wearing prison-issued clothes. His wrists and ankles were cuffed. He is charged with being a member of a terrorist group and with being trained by a terrorist group. The teen and a 15-year-old co-accused started their bail hearing last week, but Justice of the Peace Maurice Hudson isn't expected to rule until Tuesday. Ghany has a bail hearing June 29, but most of the accused will be in court Monday for an administrative appearance.

Mohammad Alnadvi, the imam at the Alfalah Islamic Centre in Oakville, knew the teen worshipped at his mosque and said he believed the youth was friends with Ghany. He knew the teen came to the mosque on Fridays but noted Ghany only came occasionally when he was there with friends. Alnadvi described the youth as "well behaved and very disciplined." He said the teen's family is surprised by the lack of support they've received from the Muslim community. "People have their own fears," the imam said. Alnadvi said the mosque would pay particular attention to teens this summer as they attend on school holidays.

mnelson@thespec.com
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