Toronto university student, who vanished last year, died in Somalia fighting for group tied to Al Qaeda.
The family of a Toronto student linked to an Al Qaeda group in Somalia is in mourning after learning online that their son had been killed.
A two-minute video of Mohammed Elmi Ibrahim, also known as Ahmed, was posted on YouTube late Tuesday night along with a terse message that he had been killed in “battle.”
“They (his parents) heard about it Tuesday night … that their son is dead,” said Omar Kireh, administrator at Abu Huraira Centre in North York, the mosque where Ibrahim worshipped.
“Of course, they are devastated. They never thought it would come to this.”
Born and raised in Toronto, Ibrahim was in his early 20s and a student at the University of Toronto.
He was the first of six Somali-Canadian men who disappeared from the Toronto area last year and were believed to have joined al Shabaab in Somalia, an Islamist youth militia aligned with Al Qaeda.
They all worshipped at the Abu Huraira Centre. Some have called their families and told them they are not returning to Canada.
“I don’t know if he (Ibrahim) had been calling his parents,” said Kireh, adding he had yet to talk to the young man’s parents. “It’s very sad … everyone had high expectations from him.”
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In the video, made in Saudi Arabia, Ibrahim speaks in English and discusses the historic significance of the location.
The video’s accompanying text, addressed to Canadian youth, says: “Dont be sadden (sic) but rather rejoice in the news of your dear brother and follow his footsteps and march forth in the ranks of the honest mujahideen, al Shabaab mujahideen. The brave brother achieved his goal while marching forth not wavering. … We ask Allah to accept him.”
It doesn’t say when or where Ibrahim was killed.
His death has not been officially confirmed and Foreign Affairs in Ottawa did not return calls Wednesday.
A Star reporter was turned away at Ibrahim’s parents’ Scarborough home Wednesday evening.
“We are in mourning,” a woman at the door said, asking the reporter to leave.
About 10 cars were parked outside the home and a constant stream of people entered.
Ibrahim disappeared with his passport about eight months ago, his friends told the Star. About a month later, they say, he called his parents and said he was in Kismayo, a port city in southern Somalia ruled by al Shabaab.
The sister of a Markham man, one of the other five Somali-Canadians who disappeared, would not say Wednesday whether she had heard about Ibrahim’s death.
RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service officers have been investigating the disappearances of the GTA men.
This month, al Shabaab was added to the Canadian government’s list of terrorist organizations.
The designation came soon after the Somali-Canadian community reported the group was trying to radicalize and recruit Canadians.
It was listed as a terrorist organization in the U.S. early last year. More than 20 young Somali-American men have disappeared in two years, and are believed to have joined al Shabaab.
Source: TheStar
Is this guy a Somalilander?
What a waste!
He should've been fighting for the glorious Somaliland army instead of being on the side of the Wanlaweyn militias
I know all of these kids that disappeared (being form Scarborough, ON) but feel no sadness. Not an ounce of grief and I wish I could smack the rest of them back into their senses because they are fighting for a gang more closer to bloods and crips than being a religious group. The stories I've heard from people who've been there about how they terrorize the local population with outright hypocrisy are sickening.
While I grieve for your families, my attitude is still 1 down 6 to go. The longer you young men stay alive with that radicalized mentality the more the odds of you hurting innocent people.
Sabar Iyo Imaan to their families for their loss and protect your kids from the Al-Shabaab nutcases to everyone else.
I couldn’t agree more..
You mean is he Isaaq ?
what a joke he is Somali is that not enough you fck tribalist.
wtf!! you are the one who is mentioning tribe f….k
I cannot believe I am reading this!!!! Sad, no sympathy or feeling of loss.
These are kids gone astray and rebellious; and they need the Somali society to steer them, back again, on the right track. No wonder they have become what they are with this type of attitude!!!!!!!!
We, adults are pushing them in the lion's den (their comfort zone).