FBI looks for al Qaeda suspect
-with a Guyanese passport
Stabroek News
March 22, 2003
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has issued an alert for the holder of a Guyanese passport, who is suspected of making threats against America and of having ties to the al Qaeda terrorist network.
Law enforcement agencies and personnel have been urged to notify the FBI immediately if they locate Adnan G. El Shukrijumah, who is being sought by the FBI for questioning and for whom they have issued a “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alert.
El Shukrijumah, also known as Abu Arif, Ja’far Al-Tayar, Jaffar Al-Tayyar, Jafar Tayar and Jaafar Al-Tayyar, is said to be possibly involved with al-Qaeda terrorist networks and thus may pose a serious threat to American citizens and interests worldwide.
The 27-year-old man is approximately 5ft 3” to 5ft 5” in height, weighs 132 pounds, (though he may be heavier today), has a Mediterranean complexion, black hair, black eyes and is said to wear a beard occasionally.
Additionally, the FBI said that El Shukrijumah carries a Guyanese passport and also that he may attempt to enter the United States with a Saudi, Canadian or Trinidad passport as well.
Anyone having information concerning is urged to contact the American Embassy. A South Florida Sun-Sentinel report said that authorities had partnered El Shukrijumah with alleged “dirty bomber” Jose Padilla, who converted to Islam in South Florida, moved to Egypt, then was arrested in Chicago last year.
“The exact connection between the two was not clear late Thursday, but three officials with knowledge of the case all described El Shukrijumah as Padilla’s partner in the alleged dirty bomb plot.
“Padilla, who previously lived in Broward County and worked at a Taco Bell in Davie, was arrested last May as a material witness at O’Hare International Airport after he stepped off a flight from Pakistan. He has never been charged with a crime, but was designated in June by President Bush as “an enemy combatant” because of his alleged role in the dirty bomb plot.
The information about El Shukrijumah was acquired from recently arrested al-Qaida operatives, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who allegedly planned the Sept. 11 hijackings. El Shukrijumah is thought to be “an integral part” of a new plot against the United States, according to federal officials, who could not release details.
“But his father, Gulshair El-Shukri, adamantly denies any terrorist connection even though federal officials have inquired about his son six or seven times. He says his son made pilgrimages to Mecca and imported goods to the United States. Last El-Shukri heard, his son was living in Morocco.
“‘It is not correct because my son could not drive a plane,’ El-Shukri, 73, said Thursday night. ‘My son has no connection to Mohamed Atta or anyone they’ve accused of terrorist acts. My son has no connection with al-Qaida or Osama bin Laden.’ “Still, on Thursday afternoon about 40 federal, state and local agents descended on a Miramar home on the 6100 block of Southwest 27th St. and the Al Hijrah mosque next door. Parked in the front of the house was a car with an American flag sticker that read ‘Patriot Day September.’
“Agents combed the neighborhood talking to residents, one of whom said he had seen the suspect three days ago. El Shukrijumah was in the United States since well before the terrorist attacks, the FBI said. “The one-story home belongs to the suspect’s father, a respected local religious leader who served as spiritual head for the Al Hijrah mosque.
“El-Shukri, who was born in Guyana, is also involved with a Web site called ‘Master Arabic’ which encourages customers to order tapes to learn the language. He said he brought his children to the United States in 1995 to learn English. “‘He believes that everyone should look up to the youth for they were and will be the pillars of this creed Islam,’ the site reads.
“El Shukrijumah’s last known address was at his father’s house in Miramar, records show. “Friends and members of the neighbouring mosque, owned by the Caribbean-American Islamic Association, expressed disbelief that any of the family members could be involved with al-Qaida. El-Shukri taught at all the South Florida mosques, often accompanied by his children, including El Shukrijumah, said Altaf Ali, Florida director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.“Wazim Mohammed, chairman of the Caribbean- American Islamic Association, said he hadn’t seen El Shukrijumah in a few years.
‘I have never known [El Shukrijumah] to be involved in any subversive activities,’ Mohammed said. ‘He was a very respectful, kind and kind-hearted young man — always helping the community, teaching children and helping around the mosque.’
“Unknown to his friends, however, El Shukrijumah also had a record.
“In 1997, under the name Jumah Adnan El Shukri, he was arrested in Miramar on charges of domestic battery and child abuse. He also had a number of traffic violations in Broward, Hamilton and Osceola counties. State records showed he received a traffic ticket as recently as May 4, 1999 in St. Cloud.”
