Omar Khadr engaged to Edmonton woman who tried to get him freed

Omar Khadr has taken another step toward building a normal life outside prison walls, with his engagement to a human rights activist who worked to gain his freedom.

Muna Abougoush founded a website when Khadr was still in prison to keep his name in the media and remind the public of his cause.

Mashallah!!! Omar khadr is engaged!! After what he went through, he deserves the world.- Zainab Amiin, friend

In July 2013, she summed up her philosophy in a quote promoting a "free Khadr" event on Facebook. "I believe in grabbing a pen before grabbing a sword," she wrote. "No need for conflict, no need for arms, just a cup of coffee and a few open minds and we are well on our way to peace. Edmonton, Let's Talk About Omar Khadr."

When he was transferred to a medium-security facility in Bowden, Alta., in 2014, Abougoush spoke about visiting him as part of his "support community."

On the day an Alberta judge ruled that Khadr should be freed from custody, two exclamation marks blazed across her Facebook page.

"Freedom! Omar Khadr granted bail!!"

Wedding in his future

Since Khadr was released on bail about a year ago, he has been living with his Edmonton lawyer Dennis Edney. Abougoush also lives in Edmonton.

When CBC News spoke with Edney on Tuesday about the engagement news, he confirmed it but declined further comment — calling it a private matter.

It seems the couple's friends feel differently. They posted several congratulatory messages on Facebook this week.

"Mashallah!!! Omar khadr is engaged!! This brings the biggest smile to my face!" wrote Zainab Amiin. "After what he went through, he deserves the world."

Another, who was involved with the "Free Omar Khadr Now" website, posted to Abougoush's wall on Sunday.

 "I am so happy to think you will be sharing your future together after so many years of shared past. Two such dedicated and strong people providing each other with the support you both deserve will be able to move mountains."

Prison in his past​ 

Khadr was accused of throwing a grenade that killed a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan when he was 15 years old.

He confessed to a U.S. military tribunal, was convicted and spent 10 years at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba before being transferred to the Millhaven Institution near Kingston, Ont., and later to the Bowden Institution near Innisfail, Alta.

A year ago, an Alberta judge granted him bail while he awaits the outcome of his appeal in the U.S. of his war crimes conviction. The Conservative government planned to appeal the bail decision, but the Liberals recently announced those plans have been dropped.

Khadr has also been granted leave to remove his monitoring bracelet, take flights to visit his grandparents in Toronto, and speak to them in a language other than English.