MIM: Poster Boy for diversity Bomb belt wearing- ex con - coke head- student - Omar Khayam 'apologised' in the company of an Imam and Labour MP - for being compelled by 'hurt feelings' over Mohammed cartoons to dress like sucide bomber in protest while on probation from jail
"...Khayam, flanked by Patrick Hall, the local Labour MP, and the chairman of his mosque, appeared at his home in Bedford, saying: "I understand it was wrong, unjustified and insensitive of me." He promised not to repeat his performance but said that he had no regrets about joining the protest. Friends say that he fears being prosecuted. .." Omar Khayam, speaking outside his home in Bedford, said that he hoped he would never have to make such a protest again.
But he added that his participation in the protest outside the Danish Embassy in London on Friday remained valid because of the hurt caused to Muslims around the world by the publication of the cartoons in a Danish newspaper..."http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/07/nkhay07.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/07/ixnewstop.html
'Suicide bomber' is freed drug dealer
By Matt Barnwell
(Filed: 07/02/2006) A Muslim protester who sparked outrage by dressing as a suicide bomber is a convicted drug dealer who was recently released from prison, it was disclosed last night. Omar Khayam, 22, was reportedly jailed for five and a half years in 2002 for dealing in Class A drugs, thought to include cocaine.
Khayam, who wore the bomber's outfit during the demonstration in London on Saturday over the cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed, served around half of his sentence before being released on licence last year. The building student is serving the remainder of the term under the supervision of the Probation Service, but could now be recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his parole. The Islamic faith strictly forbids the taking or selling of drugs - the latter offence is punishable by death in some Muslim countries. Khayam, from Bedfordshire, apologised yesterday to the families of the victims of the July 7 London bombings for his "suicide bomber" protest. However, he insisted it remained valid because of the hurt caused to Muslims around the world by the publication of the cartoons. Scotland Yard officers travelled to Bedfordshire last night and had been expected to interview Khayam. However they returned to the capital without having spoken to him. |