He was a “Muslim convert thirsty for knowledge,” and yet he ended up with the wrong crowd — you know, the violent jihad crowd. It’s amazing, isn’t it, how many Muslim converts thirsty for knowledge end up being Misunderstanders of Islam, despite their earnestness in trying to get it right. “Accused in Toronto 18 plot pleads guilty: Jamal James gets 3 years probation,” by Bill Gillespie for CBC News, February 26 (thanks to all who sent this in):
Another accused in the so-called Toronto 18 bomb plot case will spend one more day in custody after pleading guilty Friday to participating in a terrorist group.
Jamal James, 26, who was charged under Canada’s anti-terrorism laws, entered the guilty plea in a Brampton, Ont., courtroom.
He admitted to going to Pakistan in November 2005 to seek paramilitary training from a terrorist group with the intention of returning to Canada and sharing his training with others in the Toronto 18. He got sick while in Pakistan and never received training….
Defence lawyer Donald McCleod has described James as “a Muslim convert thirsty for knowledge.” He got in with the wrong people and consequently his religious ideas came to include violent Jihad, the lawyer said.
James split with the Toronto 18 before officials busted the group on June 2, 2006. Members of the group are accused of plotting to wreak havoc and bomb the Toronto Stock Exchange, a Canadian Security Intelligence Service building and an Ontario military base….