“Obviously, Religion Played a Big Part in His Life”

That's the "gee, ya think?" observation of Kingston, Ontario Imam Sikander Ziad Hashmi re Omar Khardr. The imam believes that Islam--yes, Islam--could play a key role in "rehabilitating" Omar, who is currently praying five times a day in Kingston's Milhaven prison. How long he'll be there is anyone's guess, but he's scheduled to have a session with the parole board sometime next spring. Imam Hashmi is convinced that that's plenty of time to help Omar tweak his understanding of Islam such that he'll want to give up his wicked, jihadi ways. Hashmi admits, though, that it could present a bit of challenge. After all "It's new ground for everyone involved," he says.

I'd get out my neon marker and start highlighting all those pre-hijra passages in the Koran, imam. That should do the trick, rehab-wise, don't you think?



Could this simple implement represent Omar's road to rehab?