Al Qaeda

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Al Qaeda
By Minhae Park
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Who/What is Al-Qaeda
Al Qaeda is one of the worlds most wanted
terrorist group. Meaning base in Arabic, this
group was founded by Osama bin Laden in the late
1980s. 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 Ladens 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 dont
follow Islamic laws to be overthrown, and that
all foreign troops in Saudi Arabia should leave.
The group also believes that Israel shouldnt
exist, and that its the duty of Muslims to kill
all U.S citizens.
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Al Qaedas Size and Members
No one knows the size of Al-Qaeda because its 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 200300 members.The small number has helped
keep Al-Qaeda hard to find and catch.
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Leaders of Al Qaeda
Osama bin Laden Birth date March 10, 1957 Death
May 2, 2011 Born Saudi Arabia (exiled in
1994) 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. 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.
Ayman Al Zawahiri Birth date June 19, 1951 Born
Egypt 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
He was raised in an era where Islam was
considered a political system.
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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). Its 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 Ladens 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.
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Targets Methods

• Al Qaeda has named these as their targets/what
  they believe should go
• The United Nations
• Arab rulers
• Multinational corporations
• The Internet
• International News and satellite media
• International relief organizations. They believe
  that they are covers for spying, changing
  religion, attempted coups, and weapons transfers.
• Some activities they did
• Bombed US embassies in August 1998 in Nairobi,
  Kenya, Dar as Salaam, Tanzania (killed at least
  301 people and 5000 injured).
• Bombed the USS Cole in Aden, October 2000.
• Conducted three bombings that targeted US troops
  in Aden, Yemen in 1992.
• Also bombed the World Trade Center and the Twin
  Towers.

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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 arent afraid of dieing
if it comes to completing their goals and visions.
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Works Cited

1. Al-Qaeda Flag. N.d. Photograph. Opinion MakerWeb.
   7 Dec 2011. lthttp//www.opinion-maker.org/2010/07/
   af-pak-negotiations-must-include-al-qaeda/
2. 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.
   lthttp//www.presstv.ir/detail/145749.htmlgt.
3. N.d. Photograph. Debt EliminationWeb. 7 Dec 2011.
   lthttp//www.real-debt-elimination.com/real_freedom
   /Propaganda/false_flag_attacks/9-11/rabbi_dov_zakh
   eim_zionist.htmgt.
4. N.d. Photograph. Junk-Y-ArtWeb. 7 Dec 2011.
   lthttp//junkyart.blogspot.com/2011/05/osama-bin-la
   den-symbolic-leader-of-al.htmlgt.
5. N.d. Photograph. India VisionWeb. 7 Dec 2011.
   lthttp//www.indiavision.com/news/article/topnews/2
   45049/zawahiri-ditched-osama-to-become-al-qaeda-le
   ader/ gt.
6. "Qa'ida." 22. Chicago The World Encyclopedia,
   2004. Print.
7.  "Al-Qaida." Global Security.org.
   GlobalSecurity.org, 11 July 2011. Web. 13 Dec
   2011. lthttp//www.globalsecurity.org/military/worl
   d/para/al-qaida.htmgt.
8. N.d. Photograph. Biyokulule OnlineWeb. 10 Jan
   2012. lthttp//www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?
   articleid1457gt.
9. N.d. Photograph. Prison Planet.comWeb. 10 Jan
   2012. lthttp//www.prisonplanet.com/al-qaeda-army-s
   eizes-control-of-tripoli.htmlgt.
10. N.d. Photograph. Top News.inWeb. 10 Jan 2012.
    lthttp//www.topnews.in/seven-alqaeda-agents-arrest
    ed-mauritania-2218846gt.
11. Bajoria, Jayshree, and Greg Bruno, eds. "al-Qaeda
    (a.k.a. al-Qaida, al-Qa." Council on Foreign
    Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 29 Aug
    2011. Web. 10 Jan 2012. lthttp//www.cfr.org/terror
    ist-organizations/al-qaeda-k-al-qaida-al-qaida/p91
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12. Wikipedia contributors. "Osama bin Laden."
    Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The
    Free Encyclopedia, 9 Jan 2012. Web. 11 Jan 2012.
    lthttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Ladengt.
13. Zalman, Amy. "Profile Osama bin Laden."
    About.com. New York Times, n.d. Web. 11 Jan 2012.
    lthttp//terrorism.about.com/od/groupsleader1/p/Osa
    mabinLaden.htmgt.
14. Zalman, Amy. "Ayman Al Zawahiri." About.com. New
    York Times, n.d. Web. 11 Jan 2012.
    lthttp//terrorism.about.com/od/groupsleader1/p/Zaw
    ahiri.htmgt.
15. 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

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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. lthttp//www.cdi.org
  /terrorism/terrorist-groups.cfmgt.