Prior to the September 11, 2001 attack on America, Osama bin Laden was
called America's most wanted terrorist suspect.
The U.S. State Department
said Osama bin Laden is "one of the most significant financial sponsors of
of Islamic extremist activities in the world." Osama bin Laden, sometimes
spelled Usama bin Laden, is 44 years old (2001). Osama bin Laden's code
name, "The Contractor," is maybe the best indicator of bin Laden's link
to terrorism. Officials in many countries including the United States say
that bin Laden's money has paid for terrorist acts in Europe, Africa and
the Middle East. His personal wealth is estimated at $250 million U.S.
Osama bin Laden
"The Contractor"
A Saudi, Osama bin Laden is the 17th child, of 50-53 children, from a family that ran the largest
construction companies in the Arab world. Bin Laden Group, a construction empire based in the
Saudi city of Jidda made its fortune in building projects for the Saudi royal family. He is said to
be the head of a worldwide network of terrorist camps that support Jihad or Islamic Holy War
against secular governments of the Muslim Middle East and Western powers. In 1998, bin Laden
called on Muslims to kill Americans wherever they can be found.
What is Jihad?
Jihad uses centuries old interpretations of the Koran to justify violence in the name of God.
Muslim scholars brought out the Koran's interpretations during the 1979 Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan. Religious rulings were issued called fatwas. The fatwas exhorted Muslims
everywhere to defend Islamic land from infidels.
Osama bin Laden timeline.
In 1984, bin Laden moves from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan to help Abdullah
Azzam, founder of the Office of Services, establish training camps across
the border in Afghanistan. The Office of Services' goal was to recruit and
train Muslim volunteers. Bin Laden provides financial support and
handling of military affairs.
In 1986, Bin Laden establishes his own training camp for Persian Gulf Arabs
called Al Masadah, or the Lion's Den.
In 1988, bin Laden turns to a global crusade. He founds a group called Al-Qaida
or Al-Qaeda (Arabic for The Base). According to the American Central
Intelligence Agency, The Base has 5,000 trained militants, who have created
cells in 50 countries. The purpose of these camps is to take militants from
around the world and shape them into an international network that would
bring all Muslims under a militant version of Islamic law.
In 1989, bin Laden returns to Saudi Arabia to join his family's construction company.
In 1991, bin Laden moves the headquarters for al-Qaida (Al-Qaeda) to Sudan,
where a militant Islamic government had come to power.
In 1993, a bomb explodes at the World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring another 1,000.
Links to the Office of Services and al-Qaida (Al-Qaeda) emerge, but do not lead to charges.
In 1994, Saudi Arabia strips bin Laden of citizenship for alleged terrorist links and his family
disavows him.
In 1996, bin Laden is forced out of Sudan following intense pressure from the U.S. on Sudan.
In 1998, bin Laden made his way back to Afghanistan. The International
Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders, which acts as an umbrella
group for international militant groups organized by bin Laden, issues a religious
order saying it is a religious duty of Muslims to kill Americans anywhere possible.
In 1999, bin Laden moves to the village Farmifadda, Afghanistan.