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'''Anwar al-Awlaki''' (also spelled '''Aulaqi''') is a [[Muslim]] [[imam]] and author who has been accused of links with individuals who later went on to commit terrorist acts.<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/11/09/2009-11-09_fort_hood_gunman_nidal_hassan_is_a_hero_iman_who_preached_to_911_hijackers_in_su.html</ref> Originally trained as a [[civil engineer]], he became an imam and theologian. He is currently associated with [[Iman University]], [[Yemen]], whose students have allegedly been linked to assasinations and is headed by [[Abdul Majeed al-Zindani]], who appears on US and [[UN]] lists of persons associated with terrorism and [[al Quaeda]].
'''Anwar al-Awlaki''' (also spelled '''Aulaqi''') is a [[Muslim]] [[imam]] and author who has been accused of links with individuals who later went on to commit terrorist acts.<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/11/09/2009-11-09_fort_hood_gunman_nidal_hassan_is_a_hero_iman_who_preached_to_911_hijackers_in_su.html</ref> Originally trained as a [[civil engineer]], he became an imam and theologian. He is currently associated with [[Iman University]], [[Yemen]], whose students have allegedly been linked to assasinations and is headed by [[Abdul Majeed al-Zindani]], who appears on US and [[UN]] lists of persons associated with terrorism and [[al Quaeda]]. His sermons were attended by, and has made contact with 3 of the 19 9/11 hijackers.

His sermons were attended by, and has made contact with 3 of the 19 9/11 hijackers, as well as accused Fort Hood shooter Maj. [[Nidal Malik Hasan]]. Al-Awlaki has praised the actions of Hasan in the [[Fort Hood shooting]].<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/fort-hood-shooter-contact-al-qaeda-terrorists-officials/story?id=9030873</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==

Revision as of 06:41, 11 November 2009

Anwar al-Awlaki
Born
New Mexico  United States
OccupationImam/Author

Anwar al-Awlaki (also spelled Aulaqi) is a Muslim imam and author who has been accused of links with individuals who later went on to commit terrorist acts.[1] Originally trained as a civil engineer, he became an imam and theologian. He is currently associated with Iman University, Yemen, whose students have allegedly been linked to assasinations and is headed by Abdul Majeed al-Zindani, who appears on US and UN lists of persons associated with terrorism and al Quaeda. His sermons were attended by, and has made contact with 3 of the 19 9/11 hijackers.

Biography

His parents are from Yemen, where he lived for 11 years and received the early part of his Islamic education. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University, an M.A. in Education Leadership from San Diego State University, and was working on a Doctorate degree in Human Resource Development at George Washington University.

Abdul Majeed al-Zindani founded the Charitable Society for Social Welfare (CSSW) where Anwar al-Awlaki served as Vice President. During a 2004 terrorism trial in New York, FBI agent Brian Murphy testified that CSSW was a “front organization to funnel money to terrorists.”[2]

Awlaki has served as an Imam in Colorado, California, and most recently in the Washington, DC, area where he headed the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Centre and was also the Muslim Chaplain at George Washington University.[3] He began serving formally as the imam of the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in January 2001; it was shortly after this that his sermons were attended by 3 of the 19 9/11 hijackers and Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan.[4]

Awlawki moved to Yemen after extensive investigations by the FBI in the US. On 31 August 2006, Awlaki was detained for questioning by the Yemeni authorities due to what he claimed was a "secret police investigation" over "tribal issues." Awlaki claimed that his arrest in Yemen was directed by America, and he was interviewed by FBI agents on subjects including the 9/11 attacks. On 12 December 2007, Awlaki was released by the Yemeni authorities and reunited with his family.

23 August 2009, Awlaki was banned by local authorities in Kensington and Chelsea, London, from speaking via videolink to a fundraiser for Guantanamo detainees.[5]

Awlaki currently resides in Yemen, and is associated with Iman University headed by Zindani. While al Zindani promotes the science department, it is believed by others that curriculum deals mostly if not exclusively with radical Islamic studies.[6] Students of his Al Iman University were suspected of assassinating three American missionaries and "the number two leader for the Yemeni Socialist Party, Jarallah Omar".[7] John Walker Lindh is also a former student of Iman University linked to terrorist groups.

On February 24 2004, the US Treasury Department added Zindani to its list of "banned entities" as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist". The Department claimed it had credible evidence al-Zindani had a "long history of working with bin Laden, notably serving as one of his spiritual leaders", that he "served as a contact for Ansar al-Islam (Al), a Kurdish-based terrorist organization linked to al-Qaeda". His name subsequently appeared on the UN 1267 Committee's list[8]

Controversy

Al-Awlaki has been accused by numerous official and unofficial sources with charges of Islamic fundamentalism and support for terrorism. He is often noted for targeting young US-based Muslims with his lectures. Terrorism consultant Evan Kohlmann calls Awlaki "one of the principal jihadi luminaries for would-be homegrown terrorists. His fluency with English, his unabashed advocacy of jihad and mujahideen organizations, and his Web-savvy approach are a powerful combination." He calls Awlaki's lecture "Constants on the Path of Jihad", which was based on a similar document written by the founder of Al Qaeda, the "virtual bible for lone-wolf Muslim extremists."[9] The East London Mosque provoked outrage of The Daily Telegraph after hosting a video-teleconference by al-Awlaki, with former Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve expressing concern over al-Awlaki's involvement.[10]

Al-Awlaki's "44 Ways to Support Jihad"[11] is described by NEFA foundation as a pro Al-Qaeda document that incites English speaking Muslims.[12]

Author Jarret Brachman said that Nidal Hasan's contacts with Anwar al-Awlaki should have raised "huge red flags". According to Brachman, al-Awlaki is a a major influence on radical English-speaking jihadis internationally.[13]

A former FBI agent identifies Awlaki as a known "senior recruiter for al Qaeda" and a spiritual motivator.[14]

On his blog website (no longer operating) Al-Awlaki praised the actions of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, suspect in the Fort Hood shooting.[15] Hasan was investigated by the FBI after intelligence agencies had intercepted communications with Al-Awlaki, who was under surveillance. The Army was informed of the contacts, but there was no perceived terrorist threat based on the general questions about Islam and military service which were judged to be consistent with mental health research about Muslims in the armed services.[16]

Works

  • The Battle of Hearts and Minds
  • The Dust Will Never Settle Down
  • Dreams & Interpretations
  • The Hereafter – 16 CDs - Al Basheer Productions
  • Life of Muhammad:Makkan Period - 16 CDs - Al Basheer Productions
  • Life of Muhammad:Medinan Period- A Lecture in 2 Parts - 18 CDs - Al Basheer Productions
  • Lives of the Prophets (AS) – 16 CDs - Al Basheer Productions
  • Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA): His Life & Times - 15 CDs - Al Basheer Productions
  • Umar ibn al-Khattāb (RA):His Life & Times - 18 CDs - Al Basheer Productions
  • 25 Promises from Allah to the Believer - 2 CDs - Noor Productions
  • Companions of the Ditch & Lessons from the Life of Musa (AS) - 2 CDs - Noor Productions
  • Remembrance of Allah & the Greatest Ayah - 2 CDs - Noor Productions
  • Stories from Hadith — 4 CDs - Center for Islamic Information and Education (CIIE)
  • Hellfire & The Day of Judgment - CD - Center for Islamic Information and Education (CIIE)
  • Quest for Truth: The Story of Salman Al-Farsi (RA)- CD - Center for Islamic Information and Education (CIIE)
  • Trials & Lessons for Muslim Minorities - CD - Center for Islamic Information and Education (CIIE)
  • Young Ayesha (RA) & Mothers of the Believers (RA) - CD - Center for Islamic Information and Education (CIIE)
  • Understanding the Quran - CD - Center for Islamic Information and Education (CIIE)
  • Lessons from the Companions (RA) Living as a Minority - CD - Center for Islamic Information and Education (CIIE)
  • Virtues of the Sahabah - A video lecture series promoted by the al-Wasatiyyah Foundation

References

  1. ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/11/09/2009-11-09_fort_hood_gunman_nidal_hassan_is_a_hero_iman_who_preached_to_911_hijackers_in_su.html
  2. ^ [http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/nefabackgrounder_alawlaki.pdf Tom Hays, FBI Eyes NYC ‘Charity’ in Terror Probe, Associated Press, February 26, 2004.
  3. ^ "Imam Anwar Al Awlaki - A Leader in Need". Cageprisoners.com. 2006-11-08. Retrieved 2007-06-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6521758/Fort-Hood-shooting-Texas-army-killer-linked-to-September-11-terrorists.html
  5. ^ "Islamist preacher banned from addressing fundraiser". Guardian. 2009-08-23. Retrieved 2009-08-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Glenn R. Simpson, Terror Probe Follows the Money, The Wall Street Journal, April 2, 2004
  7. ^ United States Designates bin Laden Loyalist
  8. ^ UN 1267 Committee banned entity list
  9. ^ Fort Hood shooting suspect's ties to mosque investigated By Josh Meyer 9 November 2009
  10. ^ Muslim groups 'linked to 11 September hijackers spark fury over conference', The Daily Telegraph, 27 Dec 2008
  11. ^ "44 Ways to Support Jihad" (PDF).
  12. ^ http://www.nefafoundation.org/reports.html#awlakibackgrounder
  13. ^ [1]
  14. ^ Al Qaeda Recruiter New Focus in Fort Hood Killings Investigation Army Major Nidal Hasan Was In Contact With Imam Anwar Awlaki, Officials Say by Megan Chucmach and Brain Ross, 10 November 2009
  15. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/fort-hood-shooter-contact-al-qaeda-terrorists-officials/story?id=9030873
  16. ^ "FBI reassessing past look at Fort Hood suspect". 10 November 2009.
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