Father of suspected radicalized Quebecer fears the worst

The father of a 19-year-old Quebec student who travelled to the Middle East with the possible intention of joining militants in Syria is fearing the worst.

Without telling his parents, the student flew to Turkey on Jan. 16.The family hasnt heard from his since.

You cant imagine what Im feeling, the students father, who isnt being named to protect the identity of his son, told Radio-Canada.

Im a different person since he left. Even my family in Tunisia doesnt know whats happened.

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The student is the latest of seven youngQuebecersreported by Radio-Canada to have left the country to join militants in Syria.

All seven are believed to have flown from Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to Turkey in January, hoping to eventually make their way into the war-torncountry.

The father told Radio-Canada he couldnt explain why his son had left home.

I have lost my son, he said. He was manipulated

The studentstudied at MontrealsCollgedeMaisonneuve, as did four of the others who went missing earlier this year.

According to his father, he was in his final year ofCEGEPand had signed up for two courses at an Islamic centre led byAdilCharkaoui, a Moroccan-bornMontrealerwho years ago successfully challenged being held on a security certificate.

Charkaouihas maintained he did nothing wrong, and earlier this weekCollge de Maisonneuveannounced it would allow himto resume teaching his coursesafter a contract with the schoolhad beenbriefly suspended.

The father said it was important his son learn Islam.

He added that hes concerned about how Muslims are perceived in Quebecand hopes to see his son again soon. But hes fearing the worst, given where his son may have headed.

I had two girls and two boys, now I have two girls and a boy, he said.