Al-Qaeda leader: Osama Bin Laden
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Al-Qaeda Facts: Fast Fact Sheet
Fast, fun facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
about Al-Qaeda.
What does Al-Qaeda mean?
The term 'Al-Qaeda' means
"the base" in Arabic. Al-Qaeda is the "base"
or foundation of a wider jihad and revival
in Islam that encourages new jihads (holy
wars).
Leaders of Al-Qaeda? Al-Qaeda leaders
include Abdallah Azzam (1988–1989), Osama
bin Laden (1989–2011) and Ayman al-Zawahiri
(2011–present).
Al-Qaeda vs Taliban?
Al-Qaeda is closely allied to another Sunni
fundamentalist movement called the Taliban.
The word 'Taliban' derives from the Arabic
word meaning "student" as the group
originated among students in the
Pakistani-trained mujahideen (engaged in
Jihad) during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Al-Qaeda vs Taliban?
Al Qaeda consists of Sunni Muslims who
practice Wahhabism, which is considered to
be the most extreme form of Islam and a
jihadist group. The Taliban are another
hard-line Islamic group consisting of Sunni
Muslim Pashtuns who live primarily in
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Al-Qaeda
Facts for kids
The following fact
sheet contains interesting facts and information on
Al-Qaeda for kids.
Al-Qaeda
Facts for kids
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 1: Abdullah Yusuf Azzam, aka "Father of Global
Jihad" (1941 – 24 November 1989) was a Palestinian Sunni Islamic
scholar and founder of Al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 2: In 1988 Azzam encouraged jihad (holy war) by Muslims to
help the Afghan Mujahideen against the 1979 Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan. The headquarters of Al-Qaeda were based in Afghanistan
and Peshawar, Pakistan.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 2a: The Taliban, one of the Mujahideen factions
meaning "those engaged in jihad", was formed during the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 3: Azzam began raising funds for Al-Qaeda and
stepped up efforts to recruit and organize the international Islamic
volunteer effort of Afghan Arabs which he had encouraged throughout
the 1980's.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 4: Abdullah Yusuf Azzam was the mentor of Osama Bin
Laden, a multi-millionaire Saudi dissident, who provided considerable
finances to fund the Al-Qaeda training camps. On November 24, 1989 Azzam was assassinated via a car bombing attack by unknown
assailants and Osama Bin Laden took over the position of the leader
of Al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History -
5: In 1991 Al Qaeda was headquartered in
the Sudan until approximately 1996 when it relocated to
Afghanistan. During this time, Osama Bin Laden forged
close relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 6: Al Qaeda functioned both on its own and through
some of the terrorist organizations and jihad groups in other
countries, including the Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia,
Pakistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, the
Philippines, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 7:
The Al-Qaeda organization consisted of loosely
affiliated terrorist cells in countries such as the
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Kenya,
Tanzania and Malaysia whose members could carry out
attacks and bombings in the United States and Western
nations or were able to target westerners in other
countries.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 8: Al Qaeda developed a command and
control structure that approved and then supported major
terrorist operations and established training camps in
Afghanistan.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 9: The Al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan were
used to instruct recruits in the use of guns, explosives, chemical
weapons, security, counterintelligence methods and to use the latest
technology to monitor media reports of its operations.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 10: Osama Bin Laden bitterly opposed the military and
political policies of the United States including their support of
Israel, the presence of US military in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf
War. He was infuriated at the American's presence in Saudi Arabia,
the location of the holiest Muslim shrines in Medina and Mecca.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 11: On February 26, 1993, at 12:18 p.m. a small cell
of terrorists, detonated explosives in the underground parking
garage at the World Trade Center. The Islamic Group who perpetrated
the 1993 World Trade Center
Bombing are believed to have links to Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda
network
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 12: On 4 October, 1993 eighteen US servicemen were
killed in Somalia after members of a Somali militia, trained by
Al-Qaeda, shot down two Black Hawk helicopters.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 13: A fatwa is an Islamic religious ruling or decree.
In 1996 Osama Bin Laden issued his declaration of Jihad, or "Holy
War" against the United States of America, which called on Al Qaeda
followers and associates to kill American soldiers.
●
In 1992 Fatwahs were issued against
American Troops in Saudi Arabia and Yemen
● In 1992 / 1993 Fatwahs were issued
against American Troops in Somalia
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 14: In 1996 Osama Bin Laden issued another Fatwah
from the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan with the intent to
"Expel the Heretics from the Arabian Peninsula" which was tantamount
to an Al Qaeda declaration of War.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 15: In June 1996 a bomb ripped Khobar Towers, a US
military housing complex near Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, killing 19
Americans. Al Qaeda was believed to have been involved in the Khobar
Towers bomb attack.
Continued...
Al-Qaeda
Facts for kids
Facts
about the Al-Qaeda for kids:
Osama bin Laden
The Osama bin
Laden quote is taken from an interview aired on Al-Jazeera on
December 1998:
"Every Muslim, from the
moment they realize the distinction in their hearts, hates
Americans, hates Jews, and hates Christians. This is a part of
our belief and our religion. For as long as I can remember, I
have felt tormented and at war,
and have felt hatred and animosity for Americans".
Facts
about the Al-Qaeda for kids
The following fact
sheet continues with facts about Al-Qaeda for kids.
Al-Qaeda
Facts for kids
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 16: On February 23, 1998 Osama Bin Laden published a
Fatwah against American Civilians, with the support of other
extremist groups under the banner of the World Islamic Front for
Jihad against Jews and Crusaders, This fatwah advocated the
killing of Americans, including civilians, anywhere in the world
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 17: The issues of the Fatwahs advised members of Al
Qaeda that it was Islamically correct to engage in violent actions
against "infidels" (nonbelievers), even if others might be killed by
such actions. This was justified by stating that if any 'others'
killed were "innocent" they would go to paradise, and if they were
not "innocent," they deserved to die.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 18: Following the declarations in the Fatwahs, United
States embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by Al Qaeda in
1998.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 19: The 1998 attacks on the US embassies, linked to
local members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and Al-Qaeda, brought Osama bin Laden
and Al Qaeda to the attention of the American public for the first
time. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) subsequently placing
Osama bin Laden on its ten most-wanted fugitives list.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 20: Following the embassy attacks, the United States
retaliates with air strikes against alleged al-Qaeda training camps
in Afghanistan
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 21: In 1998 Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden declared
that acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction was his Islamic
duty and played integral part of his jihad. Al Qaeda made every
attempt to purchase or develop nuclear and biochemical weapons of
mass destruction.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 22: On 12 October 2000 two suicide terrorists rammed
a boat carrying explosives into the USS Cole near the Yemeni port of
Aden, killing 17 US sailors. Six al-Qaeda militants are later
charged by a Yemeni court in connection with the attack
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 23:
The 9/11 terrorist attacks: On 11 September 2001
members of Al Qaeda hijacked four planes and flew them into the World
Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, and a field in
Pennsylvania. The 9/11 terror attacks shocked the world and were
worst ever attacks on the US homeland, killing over 3000 people.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 24: On 23 December 2001 a British Al Qaeda terrorist
called Richard Reid is arrested on a flight from Paris to Miami
after trying to blow up the plane with explosives hidden in his
shoes.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 25: The Bali bombings: On 12 October 2002 two bombs
exploded in a busy nightclub area in the Bali town of Kuta, killing
202 people most of them foreign tourists. The bombing is believed to
have been perpetrated by the South East Asian militant network,
Jemaah Islamiah, which had links to Al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 26: 2002 Mombasa attacks: On 28 November, 2002 an
Al-Qaeda group bombs an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa, Kenya.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 27: In March 2003 the
Iraq War
(20 March 2003 – 18 December 2011) erupted as the US launched a
"shock and awe" bombing campaign the government of Saddam Hussein in
Iraq. It was strongly believed that Saddam Hussein was harboring and
supporting Al-Qaeda in Iraq, increasing fears of Al-Qaeda's on-going
intent to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 28: Riyadh compound bombings: On 12 May 2003 at least
34 people were killed in a series of Al-Qaeda bomb attacks in
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. On 16 May 2003 Al Qaeda
Bomb attacks in Casablanca, Morocco included a Spanish restaurant a
five-star hotel, a Jewish community centre and the Belgian
consulate. The terrorist attacks killed 33 victims.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 29: Canal Hotel bombing: On 19 August 2003 the Canal
Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq is bombed killing 22 people including UN
envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello. The Canal Hotel was used as the United
Nations (UN) headquarters in Baghdad
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 30: 2003 Istanbul bombings: On 15 December 2003 57
civilians were killed and more than 300 injured in two devastating
Al Qaeda suicide attacks on synagogues in the Turkish city of
Istanbul, Turkey. The first attacks were followed on 20 December
2003 by attacks on the British Consulate and the HSBC bank offices
in Istanbul.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 31: 2004 Madrid train bombings: On 11 March 2004 ten
bombs exploded on four packed early-morning commuter trains in
Madrid, Spain killing 191 people and leaving over 1800 people
injured.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 32: 2004 Khobar Massacre: Gunmen, from a terrorist
group linked to Al-Qaeda, attack offices and the Oasis housing
compound in the eastern city of Khobar, Saudi Arabia in the hub of
the Saudi oil industry
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 33: 2005 London bombings: On 7 July 2005 fifty-two
people were killed and 700 were injured as bombs exploded on three
underground tube trains and one bus in central London.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 34: 2007 Algiers bombings: On 11 December 2007 the
Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghrebin claim responsibility
for the Algerian capital Algiers in which fifty people were killed.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 35: 2008 Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing: Al-Qaeda
are responsible for the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan on
September 20, 2008 in which a truck bomb killed 54 people and
injured 266 others.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 36: By 2009 the role of Osama bin Laden in Al Qaeda
changed to the ideological figurehead of the organization. Ayman al-Zawahiri
emerged as the operational and strategic commander of the Al Qaeda
organization.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 37: 2011 Death of Osama bin Laden: Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden
was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011 by United States Navy SEALs
when they overtook a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 38: Ayman al-Zawahiri became the official leader of
Al Qaeda following the death of Osama bin Laden. Islamic militants
of Ansar al-Sharia a Libyan terror group, closely linked to
Al-Qaeda, mount the Benghazi attack
on the
American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S.
Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 39: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) grew out of
Al-Qaeda. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), it was
formed in April 2013 and affirmed the group's allegiance to Al-Qaeda
and Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 40:
ISIS and ISIL
merged
creating a caliphate, renamed itself the
Islamic State (IS) and claimed absolute authority over all of the world’s
Muslims.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 41: In September 2015, Ayman al-Zawahiri urged the
Islamic State (ISIL) to stop fighting in Syria and to unite
with all other jihadists against western and Middle East alliances.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 42: ISIS has since been disavowed by Al-Qaeda, but
has become one of the main jihadist groups fighting government
forces in Iraq and Syria.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 43: Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, do not
adhere to the rules of war, they do not represent any state or
government nor or they party to international treaties or
conventions.
Al-Qaeda
Facts and History - 44: Al-Qaeda remains a major threat
across the Middle East and North Africa and its Jihads
are gaining ground, exploiting new opportunities and
continuing plans for more terrorist attacks. For
additional facts refer to the
War on Terror.
Al-Qaeda
Facts for kids
Al-Qaeda
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