Abdullah Azzam, Osama bin Laden, and Ayman Al-Zawahiri from Al Qaeda

Abstract Al Qaeda has entered Kashmir. This chapter presents studies of Abdullah Azzam, who laid the foundations of Al Qaeda’s philosophy during the 1980s and channeled foreign fighters into Afghanistan; Osama bin Laden, who financed Al Qaeda and its precursor to disseminate jihad where Muslims were in conflict with non-Muslims; and Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who has led Al Qaeda. The chapter draws on Azzam’s writings, bin Laden’s interviews and speeches, and Al-Zawahiri’s book and video messages. Azzam wanted to fight for Islam’s glory throughout the world after Israeli forces occupied his village. Bin Laden saw himself defending Islam after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Al-Zawahiri has sought to overthrow corrupt rulers since adolescence. Each leader has crafted us-versus-them narratives pitting Muslims against others. Governments must craft counternarratives that disrupt such polarized thinking.