[honway]

I know it is a stretch to compare the name Alshafei to Chafi but these frequent use of alternate spellings make it difficult to follow these guys.

The prefix Al- is common, for example Al-Hussaini, the former Iraqi Republican Guard and McVeigh accomplice.

Could Alshafei be an Americanized version of Al-Shafei. I know an alternative spelling of Chafi is Shafi, giving us Al-Chafi. Just a thought. I am curious to know the whereabouts and country of origin of the Chafi detained in the OKC bombing case

[ValerieUSA]

Alshafei is a political refugee from Iraq who fled Saddam Hussein's dictatorship in 1994, and became a U.S. citizen in 2000.

[MizSterious]

I think your theory might be valid. These guys have long been changing their names--or the spelling of them--so they can continue to melt into the landscape.

[thinden]

another explanation could be say if an american license bureau agent makes a phonetical attempt to spell an arabic name in english.

mistakes and misspellings would be understandable considering the anglo clerk doesn't really know the difference between el and al, etc.

the arab applicant doesn't know the difference between shafish and chafish or el or al either. because they don't know the english alphabet and says the improper spelling is o.k.