Kind-hearted, undocumented U. of Memphis student just wants to be airline pilot

Mahmoud Maawad has been in the U.S. for six years, working for cash at a convenience store. He's undocumented. And, he's a student at the University of Memphis.

With that information, both George Bush and Nina Bernstein would probably start feeling their compassion welling. But, hold off for a second, you two:

When FBI agents walked [his] spartan apartment [on Sep 9]... they found a desk, chair, computer and a Koran.

They also found an airline pilot's uniform, a chart of Memphis International Airport, and instructional DVDs, including one called "How an Airline Captain Should Look and Act."

...Between April and August, the penniless student ordered $3,000 in aviation materials, DVDs titled "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings," "Airplane Talk," "Mental Math for Pilots" and "Mastering GPS Flying," FBI agent Thad Gulczynski testified.

He also ordered a pilot's coat and hat, and a chart of the Memphis airport terminal area from Spotty's USA in San Diego...

He's currently in jail awaiting trial on non-terrorism charges. According to Asst. U.S. Atty. Steve Parker:

"we don't know either way" if Maawad is a terrorist or connected to any terror groups

Fri, 09/16/2005 - 11:25 · Importance: 1