Wasting an Education

Khurram Sher, Montreal born, raised and educated, denies, denies, denies that he might ever have been compelled to, nor interested in joining a conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, even if a friend and an acquaintance appeared to be committed, and evidently trusted that Khurram Sher would be, as well. Based on his past commitments and shared interests with his friend. Who appeared to think he knew Khurram Sher well enough to excitedly tell him he would be introducing him to an "interesting" fellow traveller.

But no, no reason whatever to take from any of that the impression that this man who underwent a expensive medical education resulting in his being accredited professionally as a pathologist -- about to begin a new hospital-pathology job in London, Ontario that would pay him a hefty $365,000 annually, to enable him to comfortably continue with his focus on donating to charitable causes, "giving back to his community" -- would ever consider violent jihad for himself.

Dr. Khurram Syed Sher, right, says he was in fact trying to see if his acquaintances, not pictured, were serious about their terrorism talk.    Photograph by: Mike Carroccetto , Ottawa Citizen

"I'm not going to throw it all away on some bozos", he claimed during his trial, under interrogation by Crown prosecutor Jason Wakely. He'd worked hard throughout those college and McGill University medical school years. He felt entitled to reap all the benefits accruing from that dedicated hard work. Giving back to the community in any number of ways. So no, not an enthusiastic participant in a homegrown terrorist conspiracy. Never.

"Did you call the Canadian Armed Forces to tell them that these crazy guys would be hanging around at CFB Trenton during a repatriation ceremony while widows, children and orphans would be there?"
Crown prosecutor Jason Wakely

"I regret not saying stuff -- calling the police. I was wrong. If I had thought it was serious I would have called the police ... you don't know how much I've been kicking myself."
Khurram Sher, defendant

But in fact, the idea to mount an attack, according to the transcription of the 70 minute conversation recorded secretly by RCMP anti-terrorist officers on July 20, 2010, came directly from the helpful mouth of Khurram Sher himself, with an adequate explanation for the reason why it would appear appropriate; returning dead Canadian military personnel from duty in Afghanistan. Makes perfectly good sense from someone who campaigned against Western Islamophobia in combat situations.

Mr. Sher averred his belief in peaceful solutions. Under questioning he said he didn't believe that Muslims in Palestine and Afghanistan were "oppressed". An argument that sounds rather hollow given the evidence revealed in the earlier day's hearing events. Yes, it was true, he agreed that he had collected money and hand-delivered it to Omar Khadr's mother in Toronto, writing a cheque to Khadr's lawyer, for $600. Giving back to his community.

And that other $400 donation to one of the men he is alleged to have conspired with to create a bit of a stir at CFB Trenton?  "You knew the money went to the Mujahedeen. You knew the Mujahedeen was going to use your money to cause violence", charged Mr. Wakely. "No, I didn't. When I hear 'brother' I don't think of the Mujahedeen", responded the man innocent of charges brought against him for conspiracy to commit jihadi violence.

But guilty of naivete, noting more; mea culpa.