Abdulkareem Khadr

Infobox Person
name = Abdulkareem Khadr

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image_size = 235px
caption = Khadr in July 2008
birth_date = March 29,1989
birth_place =
nationality = Canadian
other_names =
alma_mater =
employer =
home_town = Toronto, Canada & Peshawar, Pakistan
religion = Muslim
spouse =
children =
parents = Ahmed Said Khadr Maha Elsamnah

Abdulkareem Khadr (b. March 29,1989) is the fifth child in the Canadian Khadr family, and was left paralyzed after a shoot-out with Pakistani security forces that left his father Ahmed Said Khadr dead in 2003.

Early life

Before leaving for Tajikstan in 1994, a young Ibn Al-Khattab gave Abdulkareem a rabbit of his own, which was promptly named "Khattab". The rabbit's legs were injured during rough play with his youngest daughter Maryam, and the crippled Ahmed would often sit in the backyard, crying over it.Michelle Shephard, "Guantanamo's Child", 2008.] In approximately 1999, while staying with the family of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kandahar, the ten-year old Abdulkareem begged the al-Qaeda leader to let him hold his gun after he returned home one night. al-Zawahiri relented, and let him inspect the weapon.Wright, Lawrence, "The Looming Tower", 2006]

In 2002, he accompanied his older sister Zaynab to Lahore where her two-year old daughter needed medical attention. The siblings were later joined by Abdullah, since he required surgery to remove cartilage from his nose.

The firefight

On October 2 2003, Pakistani AH-1 Cobra gunshipsFriscolanti, Michael. Macleans, " [http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20060807_131499_131499&source=srch The house of Khadr] , August 4 2006] and security forces attacked the house where Abdulkareem was staying with his father and seven others. Pakistan has stated that Abdulkareem was among the combatants.Thorne, Stephen. Canadian Press, "Pakistan to release wounded Cdn", January 26 3004] He was paralysed after a bullet damaged his spinal cord, while another lodged in his arm.Thorne, Stephen. Canadian Press , "No help for 14-year-old son of Canadian al-Qaeda suspect paralysed in firefight"] The 17-year old Khalid Murjan Salim was arrested at the scene, the son of alleged militant Murjan Salim, and extradited to Egypt shortly thereafter. [al-Shafi'i, Muhammad. Al-Sharq al-Awsat. "Egypt received three sons of al-Qaida and al-Jihad leaders", May 19 2004] [Amnesty International, [http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA33/036/2006/en/dom-ASA330362006en.pdf Pakistan: Human rights ignored in the "war on terror"] , 2006]

He was taken to a military hospital in Rawalpindi and placed under surveillance as he recuperated. He was shown photographs of the corpses found among the ruins of the house, but reports differed on whether he identified any as his father. [http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=international&category=general%20news&story_id=297555&y=2004&m=4 The lonely world of al-Qaeda's wives] , "Canberra Times", April 4]

Medical care

In January, Pakistan stated that Abdulkareem had expressed a desire to go home to Canada, and stated that they had no objections to the move.

Canadian officials stated in February 2004 that they would not help offset the medical costs for Abdulkareem to travel home, which was estimated at $30,000, although they would grant him a passport. After entering the country on April 9, it was suggested that he may not be eligible for OHIP medical coverage, having lived outside of Canada for so long. At the airport, upon his return, he made headlines by flashing a peace sign to gathered reporters.Yahoo news, "Two members of family that has been linked to al-Qaida return to Canada", April 9 2004] Three months after returning to Canada he was legally eligible for care. [Lunman, Kim and Colin Freeze. Globe and Mail, [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20040416.wxcitizen1604%2FBNStory%2FFront&ord=66996217&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true Khadrs' citizenship safe, PM says] , April 16 2004]

Dr. Marty McKay, a private doctor who had never met the family, registered a three-page complaint a week later with the Children's Aid Society, alleging child abuse and possible brainwashing of Abdulkareem based on what she'd read in the media. [CBC, [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2004/04/20/khadr040420.html Doctor wants Khadrs investigated on suspicion of child abuse] , April 20 2004]

References

External links

* [http://www.thekhadrlegacy.com/ The Khadr Legacy] , a website maintained by the family