It's a small world after all...Trolley Square shooter and AWOL soldier go to same mosque

Huh. Remember Marine Cpl, Wassef Hassoun who went missing in Iraq and ended up in Lebanon? Well, what do you know, it is a small world after all. His home boy mosque? None other than Al Noor Mosque. His main Imam? The wife beating, knife throwing, getting run out of rail Imam, Shuaib al Din!

Who knew? Where have I been?

The Al Noor Mosque and Mosque Khadeeja held prayer vigils held prayer vigils for Hassoun:
In the time-honored manner, a dozen men and boys fell to their knees, facing Mecca, to intone their daily prayers at the Mosque al-Noor. But the ordinary prayer session Monday included an extraordinary appeal: a plea for the safety of Wassef Ali Hassoun, a member of this small mosque who is facing a death threat from militants in Iraq.

The tightly knit (ed. note: unassimilated) Islamic community in the southwest suburbs of Salt Lake City responded in shock and fear Monday to news that Hassoun, a U.S. Marine corporal with extensive family ties here, had been captured by a group calling itself the Islamic Retaliation Movement/Armed Resistance Wing.

How about this?
As is common in Muslim communities across the United States, members of the faith here have been strongly critical of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. That feeling was not hidden at the Mosque Khadeeja prayer service Monday.

"We are praying for all those people held captive against their will in Iraq," said Nameed Ahmed, a member of the mosque's governing council, "including those being held by the U.S. soldiers. We are against those who are holding our brother in Iraq, but we are also against the war that sent Mr. Hassoun to fight there."

Where's Hassoun now? Accused Deserter on Navy 'Most Wanted' List

A Marine who was declared a deserter days before military court proceedings stemming from an earlier disappearance from Iraq has been placed on a list of "most wanted" fugitives. A mug shot of Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun appeared this week on a Navy criminal justice Web site, which claims the missing corporal now uses the alias "Jafar." His placement on the Navy list puts him among a select group of fugitives, some of whom are being hunted on allegations of terrorism, murder, conspiracy to commit murder, indecent assault and rape.

Military officials say they have no information about the 24-year-old man's whereabouts, and have been unable to confirm news reports that Hassoun was in Canada or Lebanon. Officials at his base at Camp Lejeune (search), N.C., did not immediately return a message left after hours seeking comment.

Military officials say that Hassoun has no passport. And Mohamad Hassoun, a brother, confirmed reports from Lebanese government officials that the Marine is not allowed back in that country.

Hassoun's family has said they last heard from him Dec. 29.

When he failed to arrive at his base in Camp Lejeune, N.C., by Jan. 5, Hassoun was declared a deserter for a second time.

He was also charged with larceny - his 9 mm service revolver is missing.