The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘The “Herald Square Bomber” Who Wasn’t’
Apr 25, 2021
Rozina Ali, a contributor to the New York Times Magazine, delves into the shocking tale of Shahawar Matin Siraj, a young man ensnared in a bomb plot by an informant posing as a mentor. The discussion explores the moral dilemmas of government entrapment post-9/11 and the personal toll on those involved. Ali highlights the complexities of a controversial terrorism trial, life in high-risk prisons, and the emotional struggles of those labeled as terrorists. The episode raises critical questions about surveillance, exploitation, and the impact on marginalized communities.
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The Herald Square Bomb Plot
- Shahawar Matin Siraj, 21, befriended Osama Eldawoody, who encouraged Siraj to plot a bombing.
- Eldawoody turned out to be an NYPD informant, leading to Siraj's arrest.
Informant Recruitment
- The government hired informants after 9/11, often immigrants, offering incentives like money and leniency.
- This created a system that incentivized informing, sometimes entrapping individuals like Siraj.
Siraj and Eldawoody's Relationship
- Siraj, a struggling immigrant, formed a friendship with the older, sophisticated Eldawoody.
- Eldawoody gradually steered their conversations towards anti-American sentiments and potential targets.