Pavel Karaulov is a
Russian father involved in a story that could be the basis for the next “Taken”
sequel in the Liam Neeson franchise.
You see, his 19 year old daughter, Varya, seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth late last month when she’d become silent and was no longer attending her classes at university.
Pavel’s gravest concern became reality when a message from her a week after was traced to Turkey. His subsequent investigation led to a startling revelation: The shy and highly academic sophomore would leave home wearing jeans and boots and “whenever she got to the university, she changed into a hijab, a long-sleeve jacket and a long skirt.”
“That’s something that is shocking,” he said. “I was never told beforehand about that.”
Thus, it seemed, Varya was en route to Syria to join ISIS.
“I’m desperate,” Pavel said, his voice shaking over a crackling Skype call from Moscow early this month. “As soon as I can jump on a plane, I’ll be there.”
It is, of course, lately not been uncommon to hear stories like his (it’s been reported that at least 500 citizens from the UK and 700 from France, for example, have done the same).
One wonders how seemingly loved, educated and well-adjusted children would give up everything to take up a cause that involves killing others. Part of the answer seems to lie in this CNN piece: “The recruits are often young -- sometimes disillusioned teenagers trying to find purpose and make their mark.”
Indeed, it’s something I’ve harped about in the past and am in danger of overdoing, but, living life with some sense of purpose is something I’ve wrapped my mind around for quite some time. Result, perhaps, of being a father and of trying to understand my life that’s at a mid-point.
To avoid – I suppose – for my kids getting a one-way ticket to Libya, I’ve been singular in my determination to instill this thought upon them and, please, do forgive me if you’ve heard this one before: Tell your child that our goal as parents is to enable them to discover their gifts, passions and purposes in life so they can help others. Happiness comes as a result.
Well, one just hopes their interpretation of happiness doesn’t involve beheadings in the name of God.
The ending to our “Taken” story seems to have taken a turn for the better. The latest report last week is that Varya had been detained by Turkish authorities near the border with Syria and her father, who is there, is working on her release.
He’d mentioned she was “very depressed and expressed the desire to return to Moscow."
This one's dedicated to all the fathers out there who'll walk to the ends of the earth for their children.
