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Anwar al-Awlaki

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Anwar al-Awlaki
Born1971
New Mexico, U.S. or Aden, Yemen
OccupationImam/Author
EmployerIman University

Anwar al-Awlaki (also spelled Aulaqi; born in 1971 either in New Mexico or in Aden, Yemen) is a Muslim imam and author who has been accused of links with individuals who later committed terrorist acts. Originally trained as a civil engineer, he became an imam and theologian. He is currently associated with Iman University in Yemen. The university's students have allegedly been linked to assassinations, and it is headed by Abdul Majeed al-Zindani, who appears on US and UN lists as being associated with terrorism and al Quaeda.

Awlaki's sermons were attended by three of the 9/11 hijackers, as well as accused Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. In addition, US intelligence intercepted emails from Hasan to Awlaki between December 2008 and early 2009. Awlaki's web site contained a message in his name praising Hasan's actions in the Fort Hood shooting, but the Los Angeles Times reported that it could not confirm that the posting was in fact authored by Awlaki.

Awlaki is currently being sought by authorities in Yemen with regard to a new investigation into his possible al-Quaeda ties. The authorities have not been able to locate him since approximately March 2009.

Biography

Early life

His parents are from Yemen. Awlaki's father was earning his master's degree in agricultural economics at New Mexico State University, received a doctorate at the University of Nebraska, and worked at the University of Minnesota from 1975 to 1977. The family went back to Yemen in 1978, where Awlaki lived for 11 years.

Awlaki holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and 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.

Positions

Awlaki served as an Imam in Colorado, California, and, in his last positions in the U.S., in the Washington, DC where he headed the Dar al-Hijrah mosque and was also the Muslim Chaplain at George Washington University. He began serving as the Imam of the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in January 2001; it was shortly after this that his sermons were attended by three of the 9/11 hijackers and Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan.

Activities

Awlaki is associated with Iman University headed by Zindani. While Zindani promotes the science department, it is believed by some that its curriculum deals mostly if not exclusively with radical Islamic studies. Students are suspected of having assassinated three American missionaries, and "the number two leader for the Yemeni Socialist Party, Jarallah Omar". John Walker Lindh, now serving a 20-year prison sentence in connection with his participation in Afghanistan's Taliban army, is a former student of Iman University.

Zindani founded the Charitable Society for Social Welfare (CSSW), for which 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.”

On February 24, 2004, the US Treasury Department identified Zindani as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist". The Department said it had credible evidence Zindani had a "long history of working with bin Laden, notably serving as one of his spiritual leaders", and that he "served as a contact for Ansar al-Islam, a Kurdish-based terrorist organization linked to al-Qaeda". His name has also been added to the UN 1267 Committee's list of individuals associated with the Taliban or al-Qaeda.

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

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

Ideology

Awlaki is an adherent of the Wahhabi fundamentalist sect of Islam, and his sermons were extremely anti-Israel and pro-jihad. The FBI investigated him in 1999 and 2000 for possible fundraising for Hamas and links to al-Qaeda, but was unable to unearth sufficient evidence for a criminal prosecution. The FBI learned he may have been contacted by a possible "procurement agent" for Osama bin Laden. When police raided the Hamburg, Germany, apartment of Ramzi Binalshibh while investigating the 9/11 attacks, his telephone number was found there.

Awlaki has been accused by numerous official and unofficial sources 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." Awlaki's "44 Ways to Support Jihad" is described by the NEFA Foundation as a pro-Al-Qaeda document that incites English-speaking Muslims.

The East London Mosque provoked the outrage of The Daily Telegraph by hosting a video-teleconference by Awlaki in 2008, and former Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve expressed concern over Awlaki's involvement.

Current location

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

Yemen authorities are now trying to locate Awlaki, who according to his father disappeared approximately March 2009. He is believed to be hiding in Yemen's Shabwa or Mareb regions, which are part of the so-called "triangle of evil" (known as such because it attracts al-Qaeda militants seeking refuge among local tribes that are unhappy with Yemen's central government).

Fort Hood shootings

In October 2008, Charles Allen, U.S. Undersecretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis, said Awlaki "targets US Muslims with radical online lectures encouraging terrorist attacks from his new home in Yemen." This was also reported by Dave Gaubatz and Paul Sperry in their 2009 book that preceded the Fort Hood shooting.

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

Hasan was investigated by the FBI after intelligence agencies intercepted emails from him to Awlaki starting in December 2008 until early 2009. Army employees were informed of the contacts, but didn't perceive any terrorist threat in Hasan's general questions about spiritual guidance with regard to conflicts between Islam and military service. This was judged to be consistent with legitimate mental health research about Muslims in the armed services. A DC-based joint terrorism task force that operates under the FBI was notified, and the information was reviewed by one of its Defense Criminal Investigative Service personnel. The assessment was that there was not sufficient information for a larger investigation. Despite two Defense Department investigators on two joint task forces looking into Hasan's communications, Defense Department higher-ups said they were not notified of such investigations before the shootings. ABC News has reported that another government stated that Hasan also had contact with other people being tracked by the FBI, who have not been identified.

After the Fort Hood shooting, Awlaki's blog website (no longer operating) reflected the following praise for Nidal Malik Hasan's actions


Nidal Hassan is a hero. He is a man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people. This is a contradiction that many Muslims brush aside and just pretend that it doesn’t exist. Any decent Muslim cannot live, understanding properly his duties towards his Creator and his fellow Muslims, and yet serve as a US soldier. The US is leading the war against terrorism which in reality is a war against Islam. Its army is directly invading two Muslim countries and indirectly occupying the rest through its stooges.

Nidal opened fire on soldiers who were on their way to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. How can there be any dispute about the virtue of what he has done? In fact the only way a Muslim could Islamically justify serving as a soldier in the US army is if his intention is to follow the footsteps of men like Nidal. The heroic act of brother Nidal also shows the dilemma of the Muslim American community. Increasingly they are being cornered into taking stances that would either make them betray Islam or betray their nation. Many amongst them are choosing the former. The Muslim organizations in America came out in a pitiful chorus condemning Nidal’s operation. The fact that fighting against the US army is an Islamic duty today cannot be disputed. No scholar with a grain of Islamic knowledge can defy the clear cut proofs that Muslims today have the right -rather the duty- to fight against American tyranny. Nidal has killed soldiers who were about to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in order to kill Muslims. The American Muslims who condemned his actions have committed treason against the Muslim Ummah and have fallen into hypocrisy.

--Anwar al-Awlaki

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—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—CIIE
  • Quest for Truth: The Story of Salman Al-Farsi (RA)—CD—CIIE
  • Trials & Lessons for Muslim Minorities—CD—CIIE
  • Young Ayesha (RA) & Mothers of the Believers (RA)—CD—CIIE
  • Understanding the Quran—CD—CIIE
  • Lessons from the Companions (RA) Living as a Minority'—CD—CIIE
  • Virtues of the Sahabah—video lecture series promoted by the al-Wasatiyyah Foundation

References

  1. Murphy, Dan (November 10, 2009). "Fort Hood shooting: Was Nidal Malik Hasan inspired by militant cleric?". Christian Science Monitor. Boston. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Imam in Fort Hood case born in New Mexico". United Press International. November 11, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  3. Sperry, Paul E., Infiltration: how Muslim spies and subversives have penetrated Washington, p. 122, Thomas Nelson Inc. (2005), ISBN 1595550038, 9781595550033, accessed November 11, 2009
  4. ^ Shephard, Michelle (October 18, 2009). "The powerful online voice of jihad". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  5. Sperry, Paul E., Infiltration: how Muslim spies and subversives have penetrated Washington, p. 122, Thomas Nelson Inc. (2005), ISBN 1595550038, 9781595550033, accessed November 11, 2009
  6. Meek, James Gordon, "Fort Hood gunman Nidal Hasan 'is a hero': Imam who preached to 9/11 hijackers in Va. praises attack," New York Daily News, November 9, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  7. ^ Esposito, Richard, Cole, Matthew, and Ross, Brian, "Officials: U.S. Army Told of Hasan's Contacts with al Qaeda; Army Major in Fort Hood Massacre Used 'Electronic Means' to Connect with Terrorists," ABC News, November 9, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  8. Meyer, Josh (2009-11-09). "Fort Hood shooting suspect's ties to mosque investigated". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  9. "Imam Anwar Al Awlaki - A Leader in Need". Cageprisoners.com. November 8, 2006. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
  10. Sherwell, Philip, and Spillius, Alex, "Fort Hood shooting: Texas army killer linked to September 11 terrorists; Major Nidal Malik Hasan worshipped at a mosque led by a radical imam said to be a "spiritual adviser" to three of the hijackers who attacked America on Sept 11, 2001," Daily Telegraph, November 7, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  11. Glenn R. Simpson, "Terror Probe Follows the Money," The Wall Street Journal, April 2, 2004
  12. Office of Public Affairs, "United States Designates bin Laden Loyalist," U.S. Department of the Treasury, JS-1190, February 24, 2004, accessed November 12, 2009
  13. Hays, Tom, "FBI Eyes NYC ‘Charity’ in Terror Probe," Associated Press, February 26, 2004, accessed November 11, 2009
  14. UN 1267 Committee banned individuals list
  15. Doward, Jamie (August 23, 2009). "Islamist preacher banned from addressing fundraiser". The Observer. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  16. Chucmach, Megan, and Ross, Brian, "Al Qaeda Recruiter New Focus in Fort Hood Killings Investigation Army Major Nidal Hasan Was In Contact With Imam Anwar Awlaki, Officials Say," ABC News, November 10, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  17. Helms, Harry, 40 Lingering Questions About The 9/11 Attacks, p. 55, ISBN 1438295308, 9781438295305, accessed November 11, 2009
  18. Helms, Harry, 40 Lingering Questions About The 9/11 Attacks, Harry Helms, ISBN 1438295308, 9781438295305, accessed November 11, 2009
  19. ^ Al-Haj, Ahmed, and Abu-Nasr, Donna, "US imam who communicated with Fort Hood suspect wanted in Yemen on terror suspicions," Associated Press, November 11, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  20. Meyer, Josh, "Fort Hood shooting suspect's ties to mosque investigated," Los Angeles Times, November 9, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  21. "The NEFA Foundation, "Anwar Al Awlaki: '44 Ways to Support Jihad'", February 5, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009" (PDF).
  22. The NEFA Foundation, "NEFA Series: Target America," October 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  23. Raynor, Gordon, "Muslim groups 'linked to September 11 hijackers spark fury over conference': A Muslim group has provoked outrage after inviting an extremist linked to the 9/11 hijackers to speak at a conference which is being promoted with a picture of New York in flames," The Daily Telegraph, December 27, 2008, accessed November 12, 2009
  24. Rayner, Gordon, "Muslim groups 'linked to September 11 hijackers spark fury over conference'; A Muslim group has provoked outrage after inviting an extremist linked to the 9/11 hijackers to speak at a conference which is being promoted with a picture of New York in flames," Telegraph.co.UK, December 27, 2008, accessed November 14, 2009
  25. "Keynote Address at GEOINT Conference by Charles E. Allen, Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis /Chief Intelligence Officer," Department of Homeland Security, Release Date: October 28, 2008, accessed November 14, 2009
  26. Gauvatz, Dave, and Sperry, Paul, Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That's Conspiring to Islamize America, p. 64, WND Books (2009), ISBN 1935071106, 9781935071105
  27. Brachman, Jarret, and host Norris, Michelle, "All Things Considered: Expert Discusses Ties Between Hasan, Radical Imam, NPR, November 10, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
  28. "FBI reassessing past look at Fort Hood suspect". November 10, 2009.
  29. CBS News Nov. 11, 2009 Hasan's Ties Spark Government Blame Game
  30. NEFA

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