the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

RADICALS
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
EGYPT
al zawahiri, ayman
Ayman al Zawahiri is considered the second-in-command, and the key ideological leader of Al
Qaeda. An alleged radical since age 15 he continued to become the leader of Egypt’s Islamic Jihad.
He is author of numerous Al Qaeda statements.
IRAQ
al baghdadi, abu omar
Abu Omar Al Baghdadi is the alleged leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. A reclusive figure whose existence
remains in question, it has been claimed by the Iraqi security forces that he has been captured—a
report that has been refuted by the American government.
SAUDI ARABIA
bin laden, osama
Osama Bin Laden is the son of a wealthy Saudi businessman. The leader of Al Qaeda, he is considered
the most wanted man internationally for several terrorist attacks—the largest of which were
the September 11 attacks in New York City, that resulted in the deaths of 3000 civilians.
al madkhali, sheikh rabi’ ibn haadi ‘umayr
Sheikh Rabi’ Ibn Haadi ‘Umayr al Madkhali is one of the most radical thinkers in the Salafi movement.
He is an influential writer and speaker, whose influence has lead to an independent faction
within Salafism; his adherents are known as Madkhali Salafis. Madkhali Salafis make up one of the
most significant and influential branches inside the Salafi movement.
al hawali, dr safar bin abdul-rahman
Safar bin Abdul-Rahman al Hawali is a Saudi Salafi Islamic scholar who lives in Mecca. Earning
a doctorate in Islamic Theology from Umm al Qura University, he was imprisoned during the
1990s for inciting people against the Saudi government. He was one of the founders of the Sahwa
(Awakening) movement in Saudi Arabia.
ASIA
AFGHANISTAN
hekmatyar, gulbuddin
Former prime minister of Afghanistan (1993-1994, 1996), Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has been deemed
a ‘Specially Designated Global International Terrorist’ by the US Department of State for links with
Al Qaeda and the Taliban. He is also founder of the Hezb-e-Islami political party that was founded
as a mujahiddeen force against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan but developed into a militant
group that is responsible for numerous attacks, including those against civilians.
omar, mullah muhammad
Mullah Muhammad Omar is the reclusive leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban. A prominent figure during
Afghanistan’s struggle against Soviet occupation, he is better known for his support of Osama
Bin Laden. He is believed to be directing the Taliban in their war against NATO and Afghanistan
forces.
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