The media is shying away from the subject of whether Omeed Aziz Popal is a Muslim as if it were radioactive. Here’s a story at Mercury News that floats the thoroughly predictable excuse that he was normally kind and pious, but the stress of an arranged Islamic marriage caused him to develop mental illness: Arranged nuptials may have stressed suspect, relatives say. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

Relatives of a Fremont man connected to Tuesday’s deadly driving rampage said he may have been distraught after returning recently from Afghanistan without his newlywed wife, who is waiting for a visa.

Omeed Aziz Popal, 29, who sources said was being held by San Francisco police, was normally kind and gentle, said Hamid Nekrawesh, 43, a first cousin in Fremont.

But a recent trip to Afghanistan to participate in an arranged marriage could have caused him a lot of stress, Nekrawesh said.

“He was a very respectful, quiet, nice guy,” Nekrawesh said. “I’ve never seen him do anything violent.”

Friends and relatives said Popal had been hearing voices since returning a month ago from Afghanistan.

“He thought the devil was coming for him,” said Zarghona Ramish of San Jose, who also identified herself as Popal’s cousin.

Afghan community leader Farid Younos said Popal comes from a “decent, pious and respectful” family, devout members of the Abu Bakr Siddiq Mosque in Hayward.

UPDATE at 8/30/06 9:04:26 am:

The Anchoress is fed up with this willful blindness.

This is becoming an appalling habit in the press and by politicians. An Islamic fundamentalist shoots Jews in a Synagogue, and it’s some sort of random incident. An Islamic fundamentalist uses his car to kill people in front of a Synagogue, and in what would appear to be a somewhat “Jewish neighborhood” and the press takes a while to cover the story (probably looking for the appropriate “frame,”) until someone in authority can be found to sing out, “ROAD RAGE”! Yeah, that’s the ticket! Road rage! Mayor Newsom sees no problem, here…a “relatively young” person, obviously confused! Yes, that’s the ticket!

Omeed Aziz Popal, the poor confused youngster, is 29 years old.