Rafik Hamad, 64, who lives in the West Bank, told the Associated Press that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the alleged shooter at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas, is a conservative Muslim, not an extremist.
Hamad, who lives near Ramallah in El-Bireh, said he is Hasan’s uncle. He also said the former U.S. Army psychiatrist loved America and wanted to serve his country.
Hasan, 39, who allegedly killed 13 people in a Nov. 5 shooting at Fort Hood, also reportedly has a brother and grandfather living in the West Bank.
Hamad told the Associated Press that his nephew had been harassed for being a Muslim. His car was vandalized and a bumper sticker that read “Allah is Love” was ripped off. Also, diapers were thrown at his house with the message “This is your head cover” written inside. — jta