Al Qaeda
By Minhae Park
Who/What is Al-Qaeda
Al Qaeda is one of the world’s most wanted
terrorist group. Meaning ‘base’ in Arabic,
this group was founded by Osama bin Laden
in the late 1980’s. bin Laden and Palestinian
religious scholar Abdullah Azzam recruited,
trained, and financed thousands of foreign
‘holy warriors’ from more than fifty
countries. He wanted them to go to war with
non-Muslims who were living in the Muslim
holy places. Like this, Al Qaeda was formed.
After bin Laden’s death, Egyptian Dr. Ayman
al-Zawahiri was elected as leader.
Goals: Al Qaeda believes that Islam should be the
supreme religion. They want countries that don’t follow
Islamic laws to be overthrown, and that all foreign
troops in Saudi Arabia should leave. The group also
believes that Israel shouldn’t exist, and that it’s the duty
of Muslims to kill all U.S citizens.
Al Qaeda’s Size and Members
No one knows the size of Al-Qaeda because it’s so secretive. Experts from the Council on
Foreign Relations estimate between several hundred to several thousands. Timothy Noah
(reporter from the Slate News) said that of 2009, there were only 200~300 members.The small
number has helped keep Al-Qaeda hard to find and catch.
Leaders of Al Qaeda
Osama bin Laden
Birth date: March 10, 1957
Death: May 2, 2011
Born: Saudi Arabia (exiled in 1994)
Ayman Al Zawahiri
Birth date: June 19, 1951
Born: Egypt
Bin Laden was born from a billionaire father and 17th
out of his 50 siblings. After his father died, his mother
married another man, and he lived with them. Due to
his fortune, he went to an elite school. He went to
university where he was remembered to be very
enthusiastic about religious debates and activities.
Al-Zawahiri's family was connected to the Al Azhar
University (which was one of the most important
religious institutions in the Islamic world). His family
was religious but not outrageously so. He lived in a
upper middle class neighbourhood, but lived modestly.
In 1979, al-Zawahiri created the Egyptian Islamic
Jihad, wanting to overthrow the Egyptian government
(later assassinated the president).
Influences: Bin Laden was greatly influenced by an Al
Thagher (part of the Muslim Brotherhood, though
violence was necessary to get Islamic government)
teacher who taught extra-curricular Islam lessons.
Influences: He was raised in an era where Islam was
considered a political system.
Other Leaders, Multiple Bases,
& Economical Sources
Al-Zawahiri is the leader of Al Qaeda, but Al Qaeda has several branches. Each branch has an appointed
leader. Not only that, but there are specialists in a certain area (ex: chemist, military specialists, etc…).
It’s estimated that Al-Qaeda has bases in 100 countries, such as in the: UK, US, Italy, France, and others.
They often are in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Al-Qaeda also has several branches. This allows them to operate
even if one base is severally attacked.
Osama bin Laden’s fortune supplies Al Qaeda with its needs. Not only that, but the organization also asks for
donations, and illegally takes funds from Muslim charitable organizations. Not only that, but when you have
to join Al Qaeda, you need to pay a certain amount.
Targets + Methods
Al Qaeda has named these as their targets/what they believe should go:
1. The United Nations
2. Arab rulers
3. Multinational corporations
4. The Internet
5. International News and satellite media
6. International relief organizations. They believe that they are covers for spying, changing religion,
attempted coups, and weapons transfers.
Some activities they did:
1. Bombed US embassies in August 1998 in Nairobi, Kenya, Dar as Salaam, Tanzania (killed at least
301 people and 5000 injured).
2. Bombed the USS Cole in Aden, October 2000.
3. Conducted three bombings that targeted US troops in Aden, Yemen in 1992.
4. Also bombed the World Trade Center and the Twin Towers.
Ib Learner Profile- Thinkers
and Risk Taker
I think Al Qaeda is a thinker and a risk taker. They are thinkers because they think of the attacks they
will do, how to keep hidden, how to earn money, and many more that keeps their organization working
and hidden. They are also risk takers because they aren’t afraid of dieing if it comes to completing their
goals and visions.
Works Cited
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Al-Qaeda Flag. N.d. Photograph. Opinion MakerWeb. 7 Dec 2011. <http://www.opinion-maker.org/2010/07/af-pak-negotiations-mustinclude-al-qaeda/
A photo of the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. N.d. Photograph. PressTVWeb. 7 Dec 2011.
<http://www.presstv.ir/detail/145749.html>.
N.d. Photograph. Debt EliminationWeb. 7 Dec 2011. <http://www.real-debt-elimination.com/real_freedom/Propaganda/false_flag_attacks/911/rabbi_dov_zakheim_zionist.htm>.
N.d. Photograph. Junk-Y-ArtWeb. 7 Dec 2011. <http://junkyart.blogspot.com/2011/05/osama-bin-laden-symbolic-leader-of-al.html>.
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2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden>.
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Zalman, Amy. "Profile: Osama bin Laden." About.com. New York Times, n.d. Web. 11 Jan 2012.
<http://terrorism.about.com/od/groupsleader1/p/OsamabinLaden.htm>.
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Zalman, Amy. "Ayman Al Zawahiri." About.com. New York Times, n.d. Web. 11 Jan 2012.
<http://terrorism.about.com/od/groupsleader1/p/Zawahiri.htm>.
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Aftermath of al Qaeda's bombing attack using a woman with Down's Syndrome. Read more:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/02/al_qaeda_in_iraq_use.php
Works Cited (2)
17. Mr. Dooley
18. Hellman, Christopher, and Reyko Huang. "List of Known Terrorist Organizations." CENTER FOR DEFENSE INFORMATION n.pag. Center
for Defense Information. Web. 12 Jan 2012. <http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/terrorist-groups.cfm>.