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'''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>  

Upon the demise of [[Osama bin Laden]], Zawahiri succeeded into the premier leadership role. He is currently in a struggle with []Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]],the self declared [[Caliph]] of the [[Islamic State]], for leadership of the global jihad.

 

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.