Temptation of Fatima

If your entire life is lived in deserts and barren mountains, as Fatima bin Laden's was, the verdant Ko'olau mountains at first can be unsettling, a reminder of how far from home you are. In the passenger seat of Jennifer Hira's red VW bug, Fatima could see the beauty of the mountains, but they were shockingly different from what was familiar and comfortable.

Equally discombobulating was the way Jen and her parents and little daughter welcomed her, a total stranger just arrived from the Philippines, into their home like a family member. These were not the vain, violent, vulgar Americans she'd been told about all her life. They were good, humble people with warm hearts.

Strange, too, was the small altar to Buddha with incense burning in one corner and on a wall nearby a golden image of Jesus nailed to the cross. When Fatima asked, Jen said "My dad's Buddhist, Hira's Japanese, right? But my mom's Hawaiian-Portuguese -- very Catholic."

"And you?"

"A little of both. I don't go to church much, but both Jesus and Buddha basically said to do good, be good, right?"

Fatima nodded, thinking yes, that is Muhammed's basic message too.

But that was dangerous thinking. Polytheism was the greatest sin. There's only one god, Allah, bless his name, and she was here on a mission to avenge Allah and her uncle. Fatima would have to find another place to live. It would not help her fulfill the mission if she were to hold any lingering compassion for Americans.

Another troubling question: If Hira was a Japanese name, how was it that Muhammed first received verses of the Koran, delivered by the angel Gabriel direct from Allah, outside Mecca on Mt. Hira? It was an essential element of Muslim faith that God spoke only Arabic. Was it possible God also spoke Japanese? No! And this was further dangerous polytheist thinking. Well, Uncle Osama had said she would be tempted in many ways. But she would remain faithful. She would.

And then they were exiting the Wilson Tunnel and the view was taking her breath away and she was covering her mouth.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jen said. "Like a postcard. I never get tired of it."

Yes, it was beautiful, but what took Fatima's breath away was Marine Corps Base Hawaii in the distance. It was one of the prime targets Uncle Osama listed. To be so close now gave her chills. But first she'd need to meet a young Marine. That's why she was going to college. Well, one reason.

Soon they were turning off Kahekili Highway, driving up the hill, and what Fatima saw both disturbed and excited her. Young men and women mingling together went against Allah's will. But to see so many young women who were allowed to attend college was amazingly wonderful. Another positive thought about America. Another temptation.