Ayman al-Zawahiri
| Ayman al-Zawahiri | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 June 1951 Maadi, Cairo, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Ethnicity | Arab |
| Occupation | Leader of al-Qaeda |
| Predecessor | Osama bin Laden |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Spouse | Azza Nowari (m. 1978-2001, her death) |
| Children | 6 daughters (1 deceased), 1 son |
| Parents | Mohammed al-Zawahiri Umayma Azzam |
Ayman al-Zawahiri [1] (born 19 June 1951) is the new leader of al-Qaeda.[2]
al-Zawahiri was the second and last 'emir' of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. He followed Abbud al-Zummar in the role when Egyptian authorities sentenced Zummar to life imprisonment.
In 1998, al-Zawahiri formally merged Egyptian Islamic Jihad into al-Qaeda. According to reports by a former al-Qaeda member, he has worked in the al-Qaeda organization since its inception and was a senior member of the group's Council. He was often described as a 'lieutenant' to Osama bin Laden, though bin Laden's chosen biographer has referred to him as the "real brains" of al-Qaeda.[3] al-Zawahiri called President Barack Obama a "house negro".[4]
The Rewards for Justice Program of the U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to US$25 million for information about al-Zawahiri's location and capture.[5] al-Zawahiri is under worldwide embargo by the United Nations Security Council Committee 1267 as a member or affiliate of al-Qaeda.[6]
Earlier life [change]
al-Zawahiri studied medicine in Cairo. He successfully completed his studies in 1974. For three years, he worked as a surgeon in the Egyptian army. After that, he worked in a hospital in Cairo. In 1980 and 1981, al-Zawahiri travelled to Pakistan to help the Red Crescent movement.[7]
al-Zawahiri is the author of several works including numerous al-Qaeda statements. He speaks Arabic, English[8][9] and French.
References [change]
- ↑ al-Zawahiri is sometimes transliterated al-Dhawahiri to reflect Arabic pronunciation. Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري Ayman Muḥammad Rabayaḥ al-Ẓawāhirī. The Egyptian Arabic pronunciation is ˈʔæjmæn mæˈħæmmæd ɾˤɑˈbiːʕ elzˤɑˈwɑhɾi
- ↑ Announced by the BBC 6pm News, 16 June 2011.
- ↑ Baldauf, Scott (31 October 2001). "The 'cave man' and Al Qaeda". Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/1031/p6s1-wosc.html. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- ↑ Karon, Tony (November 20, 2008). "Zawahiri's attack on Obama: who cares?". Time. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1860940,00.html.
- ↑ "Most Wanted Terrorists". FBI.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-05-02. http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
- ↑ UN list of affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Taliban
- ↑ "Succession to throne: Ayman al Zawahiri named head of al Qaeda". The Express Tribune. http://tribune.com.pk/story/189980/zawahiri-named-new-al-qaeda-chief-statement/.
- ↑ Al-Qaeda Deputy Head Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Audio Recording: Musharraf Accepted Israel's Existence
- ↑ Wilkinson, Isambard (August 11, 2008). "Al-Qa'eda chief Ayman Zawahiri attacks Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf in video". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/2540522/Al-Qaeda-chief-Ayman-Zawahiri-attacks-Pakistans-Pervez-Musharraf-in-video.html. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
