After September 11, 2001, Canadian journalist Beverly Giesbrecht changed her name to Khadija Abdul Qahaar and converted to Islam. She worked in Pakistan, Egypt, and Malaysia, writing stories and posting many of them on her pro-Jihadist website "Jihan Unspun".

In November 2008, while she following a story in the Bannu region of Pakistan, the Taliban kidnapped her, and demanded ransom from both the Canadian and Pakistani governments by April 5, 2009 or they would kill her.Fox News: Mystery Shrouds Kidnap of Pro-Jihadist Canadian Activist by Pakistani Extremists (April 6, 2009)

Giesbrecht was so radicalized by the events of 9/11 that she spent two years studying the Koran in Egypt, created a pro-Jihadi website called Jihad Unspun, and developed a network of friends and acquaintances so that she could meet and report on the Taliban.

She traveled to Pakistan and continually reported on pro-Taliban stories, publishing most to her website. In 2006 she helped with the production of the documentary "Dining with Terrorists". But notwithstanding her spoken allegiances, the Taliban kidnapped her in November 2008.Fox News: Mystery Shrouds Kidnap of Pro-Jihadist Canadian Activist by Pakistani Extremists (April 6, 2009)

On November 12, 2009, Qahaar and two associates were dragged out of a taxicab in the town of Sra Dargah in the Bennur region of Pakistan near the Afghan border. Her interpreter, student Salman Khan, and her personal assistant Zar Mohammad are still missing.The International News: Life of kidnapped Canadian woman journalist in danger (March 19, 2009)

The first video, released in late February, 2009, showed two militants standing behind her with assault rifles. She pointed to the men and said they could kill her if their demands are not met. The second video, released on March 17, 2009, showed a weak and debilitated Qahaar, saying she would be beheaded by the end of March if the demands were not met.The International News: Life of kidnapped Canadian woman journalist in danger (March 19, 2009)

Some confusion about why this pro-Jihadist journalist who has worked with Al Jazeera was kidnapped. Some reports have said she must have been thought to be a spy, or that the Taliban is cash-strapped and kidnapped her solely for the ransom. Odder still, the amount of money asked by her captors is variously reported in the media. According to the Globe and Mail, the ransom asked is $375,000; according to Canada.com the captors are demanding $2 million; and according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the ransom is only two million rupees, or about $25,000.Canada.com: Taliban threatens to kill Canadian hostage if ransom not paid by Sunday (April 3, 2009) CPJ: Concern as Pakistan kidnapping case continues (March 27, 2009) Fox News: Mystery Shrouds Kidnap of Pro-Jihadist Canadian Activist by Pakistani Extremists (April 6, 2009)

The Canadian government has said it is against their policy to negotiate with the terrorists or pay ransom.The Int'l News: Canadian woman's captors say tomorrow's deadline final (April 4, 2009)