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It was important for Canadian youths to know the pair had realized that “killing innocent people, joining these terrorist groups and all this, it was wrong,” the imam said. “These young people were misinformed. They never lived there. They didn’t know what is happening there. They were promised that if you do this, you’re doing a great sacrifice for God, come and join.”

But it didn’t work out that way.

Stay where you are and take care of your families

“I’m sure if these young people, if they had a platform where they can address a lot of young people, they would say: ‘We were misinformed, stay where you are and take care of your families,’” Mr. Rageah said.

He said one of the dead men had left behind his mother, who depended heavily on him. She speaks little English and is struggling to raise two siblings with disabilities.

“He was her hope and he left and he went there and he died. So I think even Islamically, your mother and your family have more right over you than going into another country or another place, getting yourself into a situation that you’re not equipped about. So I think if these guys could talk they would say take care of your family, take care of your needs, take care of your siblings, that is the true jihad.”

Citing “former militants,” Voice of America reported that Hammami had died in a clash with Al-Shabab, which he had left earlier this year following a lengthy dispute.

Also known as Abu Mansour Al-Amriki, Hammami, 29, was wanted by the FBI on terrorism-related charges and there was a $5-million reward for information leading to his capture and conviction.