The Influence Of Al-Laden On Terrorism
Terrorism’s violent acts are about the message. Terrorist’s publish and issue manifestos, fatwas or declarations of war to justify and defend their violent activities and explain the purpose of their actions. (German, 2007, p. 95) Al-Qaeda is a cross between “Egyptian Islamist radicalism,” and “Arabian Peninsula Wahhabi fanaticism” (Wahhabism) and Salafism (Ryan, 2013, p. 55) Some of bin-Laden’s ideological mentors included Islamic scholars and theologians such as Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, and Sayyid Qutb. (Ryan, 2013, p. 19; 99; 14) Other ideological influences were Hassan al-Banna and Abul A'la Maududi. (Ryan, 2013, p. 22; 29) Many of bin-Laden’s ideologues were members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.
Currently, Al-Qaeda’s leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri and jihad strategist such as Abu Ubayd Al-Qurashi, Abd al-Aziz Al-Muqrin, Abu Bakr Al-Naji, and Abu
Musab Al-Suri, are forging the current direction of al-Qaeda’s jihadist movement. (Ryan, 2013, p. 38; 241; 116; 45; 57) Centuries of Islamic thought has had a substantial impact on bin-Laden’s (al-Qaeda) jihad. Al-Qaeda’s jihad focal points are removing apostate Islamic regimes, executing defensive jihad against foreign (United States) domination and occupation of Muslim land, and reestablishing an Islamic caliphate. The al-Qaeda terrorist organization transformed into three separate entities after the 9/11 attacks. The al-Qaeda structure includes “al-Qaeda Central” or core or “leadership cadre and advisors,” “al-Qaeda affiliates or franchises” and “dispersed clandestine cells and individual terrorists acting alone against al-Qaeda’s enemies.” (Ryan, 2013, p. 52) The following paragraphs will describe differences between al-Qaeda Central and al-Qaeda affiliates or franchises as a globalized threat to Western interests. Subsequently, we will analyze how terrorism impacts a society’s economy, government and its citizens daily living.
Currently, Al-Qaeda’s leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri and jihad strategist such as Abu Ubayd Al-Qurashi, Abd al-Aziz Al-Muqrin, Abu Bakr Al-Naji, and Abu
Musab Al-Suri, are forging the current direction of al-Qaeda’s jihadist movement. (Ryan, 2013, p. 38; 241; 116; 45; 57) Centuries of Islamic thought has had a substantial impact on bin-Laden’s (al-Qaeda) jihad. Al-Qaeda’s jihad focal points are removing apostate Islamic regimes, executing defensive jihad against foreign (United States) domination and occupation of Muslim land, and reestablishing an Islamic caliphate. The al-Qaeda terrorist organization transformed into three separate entities after the 9/11 attacks. The al-Qaeda structure includes “al-Qaeda Central” or core or “leadership cadre and advisors,” “al-Qaeda affiliates or franchises” and “dispersed clandestine cells and individual terrorists acting alone against al-Qaeda’s enemies.” (Ryan, 2013, p. 52) The following paragraphs will describe differences between al-Qaeda Central and al-Qaeda affiliates or franchises as a globalized threat to Western interests. Subsequently, we will analyze how terrorism impacts a society’s economy, government and its citizens daily living.