Australian Kidnapping Survivor Jibra'il Omar Dies at 55

Australian citizen Jibra'il Omar, formerly known as Timothy Weeks, has died of cancer in Afghanistan at age 55. Omar gained international attention after being kidnapped by the Taliban in 2016 while working at the American University in Kabul, and was held captive for over three years before being released in a 2019 prisoner exchange. Following his release, he converted to Islam, embraced Afghan culture, and returned to Kabul in 2022 to celebrate the Taliban's return to power. Omar worked as an English teacher and traveled extensively across Afghanistan to deepen his understanding of Islam. Anas Haqqani, a Taliban official released in the same exchange, paid tribute to Omar, highlighting their shared journey and the deep bond formed between them. Omar's life reflected a profound connection to Afghanistan, which he considered a new home, despite the ongoing challenges faced by the people under Taliban rule.