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 the age of 15, he went on to become the leader of Egypt’s Islamic
Jihad. Al Zawahiri 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
The son of a wealthy Saudi businessman Osama bin Laden is the leader of Al Qaeda and is
considered the most wanted man internationally for several terrorist attacks—the largest of which
were the September 11 attacks 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. Al Madkhali’s adherents are known as Madkhali Salafis and make up one
of the most significant and influential branches inside the Salafi movement.
YEMEN
al awlaki, anwar [new]
Al Awlaki is the first American citizen that the CIA has given explicit permission to kill for his
alleged support and encouragement of terrorist operations such as 9/11, the Ft. Hood shootings
and the attempted Christmas Day and Times Square bombings in 2010. He is reportedly living in
Yemen.
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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