Fatal Convictions

41

Alex watched Nara run the gauntlet of morning shows while he got ready for work. He felt a little guilty about not being there with her, but he doubted he could have added much to the conversation. Nara’s story was a family story, told through the eyes of an adoring daughter. A lawyer on the set would only emphasize that Nara’s father was not just a wonderful Islamic reformer but had also been charged with ordering the beheading of a young woman. And the prosecutors had the text message to prove it.

Nara appeared to grow more comfortable with each interview, though Alex could see the weariness in her eyes. He needed to get to the office, but CBS was teasing its interview “right after the break,” so Alex fixed a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats and waited. He gave himself ten more minutes before he absolutely had to get going. There was plenty of work waiting for him, including preparation for the preliminary hearing.

The CBS interview began by following the same script as the others-a few tough questions about Khalid’s ties to Hezbollah followed by a chance for Nara to tell her story. But just before the interview concluded, the host headed in a different direction.

“Tell me about the doctrine of al toqiah. Am I even saying that right?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Nara said, her manner unflappable. “Al toqiah is a belief held by some Muslims that it’s okay to use deception in order to advance the cause of Allah. The lies will be forgiven if Allah’s cause is advanced and his will is done.”

“Does your father believe in the doctrine of al toqiah?” The host asked the question pleasantly enough, but the implications were devastating. Could it be that all this reform rhetoric coming from Khalid was merely a way for him to enter this country? Was Khalid really a radical supporter of Hezbollah merely masquerading as a moderate?

Nara’s hesitation surprised Alex. She began by repeating the question. “Does my father believe in al toqiah?” She turned her head a little to the side. “My father has never spoken in support of this doctrine, to my knowledge. But most religions, while they condemn lying, also recognize that there are sometimes bigger issues at play. For example, in the Jewish and Christian traditions, there is the story of Rahab and how she lied to protect the Jewish spies. She was commended for it, not chastised. Sort of like sacrificing the lesser good for the greater good.”

“Some would call that the end justifying the means,” the host countered.

“If you’re suggesting that my father has somehow engaged in a thirteen-year deception just to gain people’s trust so that he could then commit these heinous acts, you are mistaken. He became a reformer while living in Lebanon, long before he considered coming to the United States.”

But Nara’s indignation did not entirely assuage Alex’s concerns. He hoped Taj Deegan wasn’t watching. She may have just discovered a wonderful tool for cross-examination.

Al toqiah. Lying for the cause of Allah. Deegan could use it to cast doubt on everything Khalid and Nara said.

Even Alex found himself considering Khalid’s statements in a whole new light.