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[[Image:Teralzawahiri.jpg‎ |thumbnail|right|200px|]]

[[Image:Teralzawahiri.jpg‎|thumbnail|right|200px]]

'''Ayman al-Zawahiri''' is a prominent leader of the [[terrorist]] group [[al-Qaeda]]. Listed as the second most wanted terrorist in the world, al-Zawahiri has been involved in some of the most horrific terrorist attacks in history, including, the attacks on the [[World Trade Centers]], [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]], [[USS Cole]], and other terrorist operations in [[Africa]]<ref> http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir011003_1_n.shtml </ref>.

'''Ayman al-Zawahiri''' is a prominent leader of the [[terrorist]] group [[al-Qaeda]]. Listed as the second most wanted terrorist in the world, al-Zawahiri has been involved in some of the most horrific terrorist attacks in history, including, the attacks on the [[World Trade Centers]], [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]], [[USS Cole]], and other terrorist operations in [[Africa]].<ref>http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir011003_1_n.shtml</ref>

He is seen today as the number two man behind Al-Qaeda's leader [[Osama bin Laden]]. Born into an upper class [[Egypt]]ian in home, al-Zawahiri's involvement in the [[Islamic]] [[Jihad]] movement began at the early age of sixteen, when he became heavily involved in Islamic groups in Egypt, including a plot by the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] to overthrow the government of [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]]. His radical views came largely from the writings and life of [[Sayyid Qutb]], a Muslim who led the Muslim Brotherhood before he was killed under Nassar's regime.  His Uncle Mahfouz Azzam,who was a former student of Qutb and later worked as Qutb's personal lawyer, told Zawahriri of Qutb's beliefs and story of his fight for Jihad.<ref>The Looming Tower, al-Qaeda and the road to 9/11 (book), by Lawrence Wright, pg 36</ref>  

He is seen today as the number two man behind Al-Qaeda's leader [[Osama bin Laden]]. Born into an upper class [[Egypt]]ian in home, al-Zawahiri's involvement in the [[Islamic]] [[Jihad]] movement began at the early age of sixteen, when he became heavily involved in Islamic groups in Egypt, including a plot by the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] to overthrow the government of [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]]. His radical views came largely from the writings and life of [[Sayyid Qutb]], a Muslim who led the Muslim Brotherhood before he was killed under Nassar's regime.  His Uncle Mahfouz Azzam,who was a former student of Qutb and later worked as Qutb's personal lawyer, told Zawahriri of Qutb's beliefs and story of his fight for Jihad.<ref>The Looming Tower, al-Qaeda and the road to 9/11 (book), by Lawrence Wright, pg 36</ref>  

After graduating from Cairo Medical School al-Zawahiri began his own practice in his hometown of Maadi.  While filling in for another doctor at the Muslim Brotherhood clinic, he was asked to travel to  [[Pakistan]] to tend to the Afghan refugees, which were the result of the Soviets occupation of the country, he readily agreed to the proposition. Al-Zawahiri dreamed of creating a total Islamic state that would be a vanguard for other countries to follow, he saw Afghanistan's terrain as a more suitable location for this jihad<ref> The Looming Tower, L. Wright, pg. 45.</ref>. During his work in Pakistan, he made several visits across the border into Afghanistan.  

After graduating from Cairo Medical School al-Zawahiri began his own practice in his hometown of Maadi.  While filling in for another doctor at the Muslim Brotherhood clinic, he was asked to travel to  [[Pakistan]] to tend to the Afghan refugees, which were the result of the Soviets occupation of the country, he readily agreed to the proposition. Al-Zawahiri dreamed of creating a total Islamic state that would be a vanguard for other countries to follow, he saw Afghanistan's terrain as a more suitable location for this jihad.<ref>The Looming Tower, L. Wright, pg. 45.</ref>  During his work in Pakistan, he made several visits across the border into Afghanistan.  

In 1980, al-Zawahiri returned to Cairo where he began work as a recruiter for jihad. After Egypt's President [[Anwar Sadat]] was assassinated by a radical group in 1981, al-Zawahiri and other members of the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested. <ref> http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/zawahiri/profile.html</ref>. While in prison, he and his fellow jihad friends faced frequent [[torture]] under Egypt's inquisition, Intelligence Unit 75. Through interrogation and torture, al-Zawahiri gave information which led to the arrest of other members of the Muslim Brotherhood. In one instance, he was forced to call a suspected terrorist, who Zawari know closely, to tell him to meet him at a location, Egypt's security officials arrested the suspect at the location and placed him in the same prison cell as al-Zawahiri<ref>The Looming Tower, al-Qaeda and the road to 9/11 (book), by Lawrence Wright, pg 53</ref>. Essam al-Qamari, the suspected terrorist and friend of al-Zawahiri, was sentenced to ten years in prison and later shot dead in an attempted escape.   

In 1980, al-Zawahiri returned to Cairo where he began work as a recruiter for jihad. After Egypt's President [[Anwar Sadat]] was assassinated by a radical group in 1981, al-Zawahiri and other members of the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/zawahiri/profile.html</ref> While in prison, he and his fellow jihad friends faced frequent [[torture]] under Egypt's inquisition, Intelligence Unit 75. Through interrogation and torture, al-Zawahiri gave information which led to the arrest of other members of the Muslim Brotherhood. In one instance, he was forced to call a suspected terrorist, who Zawari know closely, to tell him to meet him at a location, Egypt's security officials arrested the suspect at the location and placed him in the same prison cell as al-Zawahiri.<ref>The Looming Tower, al-Qaeda and the road to 9/11 (book), by Lawrence Wright, pg 53</ref> Essam al-Qamari, the suspected terrorist and friend of al-Zawahiri, was sentenced to ten years in prison and later shot dead in an attempted escape.   

After three years, al-Zawahiri was released from prison and traveled to [[Saudi Arabia]] and later to [[Jeddah]], where he claims he first met [[Osama Bin Laden]].<ref>The Looming Tower, L. Wight, pg.62</ref>  

After three years, al-Zawahiri was released from prison and traveled to [[Saudi Arabia]] and later to [[Jeddah]], where he claims he first met [[Osama Bin Laden]].<ref>The Looming Tower, L. Wight, pg.62</ref>  

In 1998, the two [[Jihad]] leaders announced the joining of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and al-Qaeda to form the ''World Islamic Front for the Jihand Against Jews and Crusaders''<ref> http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir011003_1_n.shtml</ref>. In 1998, the [[United States]] embassies in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzaria]] were destroyed by suicide bombers; the United States later indicted both Ben Laden and al-Zawahiri for the attacks which killed 224 people. In retaliation, the United States lunched cruise missiles, however, both terrorist leaders escaped.  

In 1998, the two [[Jihad]] leaders announced the joining of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and al-Qaeda to form the ''World Islamic Front for the Jihand Against Jews and Crusaders''.<ref>http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir011003_1_n.shtml</ref>  In 1998, the [[United States]] embassies in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzaria]] were destroyed by suicide bombers; the United States later indicted both Ben Laden and al-Zawahiri for the attacks which killed 224 people. In retaliation, the United States lunched cruise missiles, however, both terrorist leaders escaped.  

Occasionally appearing on tapes claiming responsibility for attacks on the United States, al-Zawahiri has become the main spokesperson for the terrorist network. al-Zawahiri was sentenced to death by an Egyptian court in 1999 for his role in organizing variety terrorist attacks, and the United States [[State Department]] has offered a $25 million award for information leading to his apprehension after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centers and Pentagon<ref> http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/islam/blfaq_islam_zawahiri.htm</ref>. Although information on his location is not well known, al-Zawahiri, who is fluent in [[English]], is suspected of being located in [[Afghanistan]] after traveling around [[Europe]] looking for refuge.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/zawahiri.htm</ref>.

Occasionally appearing on tapes claiming responsibility for attacks on the United States, al-Zawahiri has become the main spokesperson for the terrorist network. al-Zawahiri was sentenced to death by an Egyptian court in 1999 for his role in organizing variety terrorist attacks, and the United States [[State Department]] has offered a $25 million award for information leading to his apprehension after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centers and Pentagon.<ref>http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/islam/blfaq_islam_zawahiri.htm</ref> Although information on his location is not well known, al-Zawahiri, who is fluent in [[English]], is suspected of being located in [[Afghanistan]] after traveling around [[Europe]] looking for refuge.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/zawahiri.htm</ref>

On November 19, 2008, Al-Zawahiri released a video referring to President-elect [[Barack Obama]] as a 'house negro,' and stating that Obama was "the direct opposite of honorable black Americans."<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081119/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_al_qaida_obama Al-Qaida No. 2 insults Obama with racial epithet]</ref>

On November 19, 2008, Al-Zawahiri released a video referring to President-elect [[Barack Obama]] as a 'house negro,' and stating that Obama was "the direct opposite of honorable black Americans."<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081119/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_al_qaida_obama Al-Qaida No. 2 insults Obama with racial epithet]</ref>

==External Links==

==External links==

[http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/teralzawahiri.htm FBI Most Wanted Profile]

* [http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/teralzawahiri.htm FBI Most Wanted Profile]

==References==

==References==

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Al-Zawahiri, Ayman}}

[[Category:Al-Qaeda]]

[[Category:Al-Qaeda]]

[[Category:Sunnis]]

[[Category:Sunnis]]