Bomber 'a man with two faces'

2005-07-14 21:43

Ivor Price

London - The Mohammad Sidique Khan about whom Farida Patel read in newspapers on Friday was not the same son-in-law who stole into her heart after marrying her daughter.

The 30-year-old suicide bomber, who is believed to have been jointly responsible for the death of 53 people, was known for his successful work with children with learning problems.

Patel, Khan's South African-born mother-in-law, and the rest of her British family are believed to be in hiding.

Although they have been allowed to leave a place of safety, their homes still were being examined by forensic experts on Friday.

It is feared people may plan vengeance against Patel and Khan's widow, Hasina, 27, who is expecting their second child.

Patel's son, Arshad, 28, his wife Khadija, and their baby of eight months, were also held by police after the London bomb attacks.

Had a way with children

Sarah Balfour, principal of the Hillside Primary School in Leeds, where Khan worked from March 2001 until December last year, said on Friday: "He had a way with children and was well-loved.

"He did so much for them. He helped them and supported them through clubs and other activities."

According to reports, Khan's Pakistani parents were originally against his marriage to Hasina, whom he met at university.

They wanted him to marry a woman from his country of birth, but Mrs Patel intervened.

Khan, who was killed when his bomb blew up a train at Edgware Road station, lived within a stone's throw of his mother-in-law's house in Leeds.

He was actively involved with a youth centre where Islamic books were sold.

Mom-in-law honoured by Queen Elizabeth

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Patel was a co-opted member of the British government's council of religious leaders from 1996 until 2000.

She was a languages teacher at a school in Leeds until her retirement and had been honoured by Queen Elizabeth for her community work.

Patel, who is in her late fifties, was born in Germiston as the daughter of Ismail Patel, an anti-apartheid activist who died in 1973 after he had been under house arrest for 10 years.

Patel moved to England about 30 years ago and married Abdul-Salaam Patel there in the early eighties. He died 15 months ago.

- Beeld