What motivates a jihadi?

Re: Father Mourns Losing Canadian Son To Extremism, Sept. 24. While I can empathize with the father who lost his son, what I find troubling is his assertion that his son “had recently become extremely devout.” I have heard this on numerous occasions regarding Muslims who join terrorist organizations or become suicide bombers. Is this simply a case of these extremists taking their holy book too literally, or is it an inherent flaw in the in the teaching of Islam that suggests their adherents slay the infidel? Or are there some nuances in interpreting the text that these people are missing? Kevin O’Mahony, North Vancouver, B.C.

As a dad myself, I understand this father’s grief over the loss of his son. But his mother, Asha, who lives in Hamilton, Ont., and his father, who lives in Minneapolis, were never in a stable family relationship. Separated by a border maybe, just maybe, Mr. Mohamud never had a chance to be raised in a loving, stable household.

As his school principal, Susanna Fortino-Bozzo stated, “I have a very vivid recollection of him being a very friendly, sociable, very academically oriented. He was a vibrant member of the community. He was involved in extra curricular activities.” I guess when you carry an AK 47, you think that you’ll be respected more for your warrior persona, rather than your intellect.

Paul Stevens, Milton, Ont.