Anwar al-Awlaki

Anwar al-Awlaki was a U.S.-Yemeni dual citizen and longtime cleric, propagandist, and operative for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).“Treasury Designates Anwar Al-Aulaqi, Key Leader of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 16, 2010, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg779.aspx. On September 30, 2011, Awlaki was targeted and killed in Yemen in the first U.S. drone strike to deliberately target a U.S. citizen.Spencer Ackerman, “US cited controversial law in decision to kill American citizen by drone,” Guardian (London), http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/us-justification-drone-killing-american-citizen-awlaki. While he was alive, Awlaki directed a number of terrorist plots against the United States,“Remarks by the President at the "Change of Office" Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ceremony,” The White House, September 30, 2011, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/30/remarks-president-change-office-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-ceremony. and disseminated English- and Arabic-language videos, audio recordings, and articles online.“Cleric al-Awlaki dubbed ‘bin Laden of the Internet,’” USA Today, last updated September 30, 2011, http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-25-1A_Awlaki25_CV_N.htm. Awlaki’s teachings—still widely available on the Internet—continue to inspire scores of terrorist attacks, frequently aimed at the United States.“Anwar al-Awlaki’s Ties to Extremists,” Counter Extremism Project, accessed September 2016, http://www.counterextremism.com/anwar-al-awlaki?utm_source=Nationbuilder&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Awlaki%20Resource. CEP continues to identify these extremists in its online resource, Anwar al-Awlaki’s Ties to Extremists.

In November 2017, in response to external pressure from governments and CEP, Google drastically reduced the amount of Awlaki’s recorded lectures from its YouTube platform.“CEP Statement on YouTube Removal of Anwar al-Awlaki Material,” Counter Extremism Project, November 14, 2017, https://www.counterextremism.com/press/cep-statement-youtube-removal-anwar-al-awlaki-material-0; Scott Shane, “In ‘Watershed Moment,’ YouTube Blocks Extremist Cleric’s Message,” New York Times, November 12, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/12/us/politics/youtube-terrorism-anwar-al-awlaki.html.

Awlaki was born in New Mexico in 1971 and moved to Yemen with his family at the age of 7. He returned to the United States in 1990 to study engineering at Colorado State University, where he served as president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and delivered sermons at the Islamic Center of the Fort Collins in Fort Collins, Colorado.Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” The New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html; Bruce Finley, “Muslim Cleric Targeted by U.S. Made Little Impression During Colorado Years,” The Denver Post, April 11, 2010, http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_14861059. According to terror analyst J.M. Berger, in 1993, Awlaki may have spent his summer training with the muhajideen in Afghanistan.J.M. Berger, Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam (Washington, D.C., Potomac Books Inc., 2011), https://books.google.com/books?id=LomKwVXd-o8C&pg=PT184&lpg=PT184&dq=summer+1993+awlaki+%2B+afghanistan&source=bl&ots=JnXxd00Vzf&sig=PbwAmJhS1Qh-JsmKajWKZLcKf2o&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7_ZGqtqPPAhWBKB4KHdvEB7oQ6AEIIzAC#v=onepage&q=summer%201993%20awlaki%20%2B%20afghanistan&f=false; Cynthia Ghazali, “Anwar al-Awlaki, Al Qaeda chief, killed in Yemen by U.S. airstrike: Timeline of his life,” NY Daily News, September 30, 2011, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/anwar-al-awlaki-al-qaeda-chief-killed-yemen-u-s-airstrike-timeline-life-article-1.958573.

In the mid-late 1990s, while living in California, Awlaki became more involved in his local Muslim community while privately engaging in illegal activities. Between 1996 and 2000, Awlaki served as imam at the Arribat al-Islami (Rabat) mosque in San Diego,Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” The New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html. but was twice arrested for soliciting prostitutes.“Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki 'spent thousands on prostitutes as he traveled the U.S. spreading his message of radical Islam',” Daily Mail, July 2, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2353860/Al-Qaeda-leader-Anwar-al-Awlaki-spent-thousands-prostitutes.html;
“Anwar al-Awlaki Fast Facts,” CNN, August 23, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/world/meast/anwar-al-awlaki-fast-facts/. Awlaki is also believed to have participated in the financing of terror.J.M. Berger, “Exclusive: U.S. Gave Millions to Charity Linked to Al Qaeda, Anwar Awlaki,” INTELWIRE, April 14, 2010, http://news.intelwire.com/2010/04/us-gave-millions-to-charity-linked-to.html; Tom Hays, “FBI Eyes NYC 'Charity' in Terror Probe,” The Washington Post, February 26, 2004, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9947-2004Feb26.html. From 1998 to 1999, Awlaki served as vice president of the Charitable Society for Social Welfare, which one FBI agent later referred to as a “front organization to funnel money to terrorists.”J.M. Berger, “Exclusive: U.S. Gave Millions to Charity Linked to Al Qaeda, Anwar Awlaki,” INTELWIRE, April 14, 2010, http://news.intelwire.com/2010/04/us-gave-millions-to-charity-linked-to.html; Tom Hays, “FBI Eyes NYC 'Charity' in Terror Probe,” The Washington Post, February 26, 2004, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9947-2004Feb26.html.

The FBI opened an investigation on Awlaki in June 1999 upon receiving a tip that he had been contacted by one of Osama bin Laden’s agents in the United States.The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, official government edition (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), p. 517, http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf; J.M. Berger, “Anwar Al-Awlaki's Links to the September 11 Hijackers,” Atlantic, September 9, 2011, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/anwar-al-awlakis-links-to-the-september-11-hijackers/244796/. However, the investigation was closed in March of 2000 due to insufficient evidence.Joseph Rhee and Mark Schone, “How Anwar Awlaki Got Away,” ABC News, November 30, 2009, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/FtHoodInvestigation/anwar-awlaki/story?id=9200720. Days before the FBI closed his file, Awlaki met and allegedly befriended 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mindhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, who reportedly attended the San Diego mosque at which Awlaki preached.The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, official government edition (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), p. 221, http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf; J.M. Berger, “Anwar Al-Awlaki's Links to the September 11 Hijackers,” Atlantic, September 9, 2011, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/anwar-al-awlakis-links-to-the-september-11-hijackers/244796/. In 2001, Awlaki settled in Falls Church, Virginia, and became imam at the Dar Al Hijrah mosque, one of the largest mosques in the United States.Cynthia Ghazali, “Anwar al-Awlaki, Al Qaeda Chief, Killed in Yemen by U.S. Airstrike: Timeline of His Life,” NY Daily News, September 30, 2011, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/anwar-al-awlaki-al-qaeda-chief-killed-yemen-u-s-airstrike-timeline-life-article-1.958573;
Associated Press, “Al-Qaida Cleric Death: Mixed Emotions at Virginia Mosque Where He Preached,” Guardian (London), September 30, 2011, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/30/anwar-awlaki-mosque-virginia-worshippers; “Inside Dar Al-Hijrah,” Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/inside-dar-al-hijrah/2011/09/02/gIQAZzju2J_gallery.html. That year, Awlaki also reportedly met 9/11 hijacker Hani Hanjour.J.M. Berger, “Anwar Al-Awlaki's Links to the September 11 Hijackers,” Atlantic, September 9, 2011, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/anwar-al-awlakis-links-to-the-september-11-hijackers/244796/. Although Awlaki met these three 9/11 hijackers before the attacks, Awlaki’s complicity in the attacks remains inconclusive. However, one detective told the 9/11 commission that he believed Awlaki “was at the center of the 9/11 story.”Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” The New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html.

Awlaki lived in the United States until 2002, when he moved to London before relocating to Yemen as late as 2004.“Anwar al-Awlaki Fast Facts,” CNN, August 23, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/world/meast/anwar-al-awlaki-fast-facts/;
Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html. He was jailed in Yemeni prison for 18 months between mid-2006 and late 2007 on charges of kidnapping for ransom and plotting alongside al-Qaeda to kidnap a U.S. military attaché.“Treasury Designates Anwar Al-Aulaqi, Key Leader of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 16, 2010, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg779.aspx. Soon after his release, Awlaki traveled to his family’s ancestral home in Shabwah province, Yemen, and joined AQAP there a few months later, soon becoming a key leader in the group.Scott Shane, “The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki,” New York Times, August 27, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html?_r=0.

As a senior leader of AQAP, Awlaki helped to set the group’s strategic direction, recruit and train operatives, and direct attacks against U.S. interests.“Treasury Designates Anwar Al-Aulaqi, Key Leader of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 16, 2010, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg779.aspx. In the summer of 2009, Awlaki met with Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab—colloquially known as the “underwear bomber”—in Yemen. Awlaki helped Abdulmutallab to film a “martyrdom video,” and instructed him to blow up a civilian airliner above the United States. On Christmas Day, 2009, Abdulmutallab carried out the failed attempt to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 en route to Detroit.“United States of America. v. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab,” United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan Southern Division, September 10, 2012, 12-14, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/documents/umar-farouk-abdul-mutallab-sentence-brief.pdf;
David Ariosto and Deborah Feyerick, “Christmas Day Bomber Sentenced to Life in Prison,” CNN, February 17, 2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/16/justice/michigan-underwear-bomber-sentencing/.

Awlaki had documented ties to a number of other terrorists. In early 2009, Awlaki was in contact via email with Nidal Hasan, the U.S. Army Major who in November 2009 killed 13 soldiers at the Fort Hood military post near Killeen, Texas.“Anwar Awlaki E-Mail Exchange with Fort Hood Shooter Nidal Hasan,” INTELWIRE, July 19, 2012, http://news.intelwire.com/2012/07/the-following-e-mails-between-maj.html. Roughly a year after the attack, Awlaki referred to Hasan as a “hero.”“In quotes: Anwar al-Awlaki,” BBC News, September 30, 2011, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15124351. Awlaki was also involved in an October 2010 plot to blow up a U.S. cargo plane flying from Yemen to the United States.“Remarks by the President at the "Change of Office" Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ceremony,” The White House, September 30, 2011, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/30/remarks-president-change-office-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-ceremony. The bomb, disguised as an ink cartridge, was built by AQAP’s chief bomb maker Ibrahim al-Asiri and was timed to detonate as the plane flew over the eastern seaboard of the United States. The bomb was removed by British police after a tip from Saudi intelligence.Gordon Rayner and Duncan Gardham, “Cargo plane bomb plot: ink cartridge bomb ‘timed to blow up over US,’” Telegraph (London), November 10, 2010, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8124226/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-ink-cartridge-bomb-timed-to-blow-up-over-US.html. In 2011, Awlaki instructed British citizen Minh Quang Pham to carry out a suicide bombing at London’s Heathrow International Airport. Pham, who trained alongside AQAP in Yemen during the first half of 2011, was arrested by British authorities in June 2012.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0;
“Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces The Extradition Of Defendant From United Kingdom For Providing Material Support To, And Receiving Military Training From, Al Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 3, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-extradition-defendant-united-kingdom-providing-material. Despite Awlaki’s principle role in AQAP, at some point in 2010, when AQAP nominated Awlaki as a possible new leader, bin Laden reportedly vetoed the appointment.Peter Bergen, “The Last Days of Osama bin Laden,” Wall Street Journal, July 30, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-last-days-of-osama-bin-laden-11627657283.

President Barack Obama authorized the killing of Awlaki in April 2010. In defense of the decision to target an American citizen, director of national intelligence Dennis C. Blair told a House hearing that “if we think that direct action will involve killing an American, we get specific permission to do that.”Scott Shane, “U.S. Approves Targeted Killing of American Cleric,” New York Times, April 6, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/world/middleeast/07yemen.html?_r=0. In January 2011, Awlaki was sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia by a Yemeni court for his connection to the killing of a French engineer in Yemen.“Yemen Sentences Awlaki in Absentia,” Al Jazeera, January 17, 2011, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011117133558339969.html. Awlaki was killed by a U.S. drone strike on September 30, 2011, while traveling between Marib and Jawf provinces in Yemen.Mark Mazzetti, Eric Schmitt, and Robert F. Worth, “Two-Year Manhunt Led to Killing of Awlaki in Yemen,” New York Times, Septmeber 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/anwar-al-awlaki-is-killed-in-yemen.html.

In the announcement of Awlaki’s death, Obama referred to the U.S.-Yemeni terrorist as AQAP’s “director of external operations.”“Remarks by the President at the "Change of Office" Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ceremony,” The White House, September 30, 2011, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/30/remarks-president-change-office-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-ceremony. While Awlaki took a principal role in directing attacks against the United States, his vast collection of propagandizing material—widely available online—directly inspired individuals around the world to carry out attacks, especially in the West. Among Awlaki’s followers was failed bomber Faisal Shahzad, who attempted to detonate a car bomb in Manhattan’s Times Square in May 2010. Shahzad later told investigators that he had been inspired by Awlaki’s online sermons.Scott Shane and Mark Mazzetti, “Times Sq. Bomb Suspect Is Linked to Militant Cleric,” New York Times, May 6, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/middleeast/07awlaki-.html. Roshonara Choudhry, a British student who stabbed Labor MP Stephen Timms in May 2010 because he had voted in favor of invading Iraq, was also reportedly self-radicalized online by Awlaki’s sermons.Vikram Dodd and Alexandra Topping, “Roshonara Choudhry jailed for life over MP attack,” Guardian (London), November 3, 2010, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/03/roshonara-choudhry-jailed-life-attack.

Even after his death, Awlaki’s ideology has motivated homegrown extremists to commit acts of terror. The Tsarnaev brothers, who carried out the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013, had watched YouTube videos of Awlaki’s lectures.Scott Shane, “The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki,” New York Times, August 27, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html?_r=1;
Ann O’Neill, “The 13th Juror: The radicalization of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,” CNN, March 30, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/us/tsarnaev-13th-juror-jahar-radicalization/;
“United States of America v. Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev a/k/a/ ‘Jahar Tsarni,’” United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, June 27, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ma/legacy/2013/06/27/Indictment1.pdf. They also built the pressure cooker bombs used in the attack from instructions in AQAP’s online magazine Inspire, which was founded by Awlaki in 2010.Ian Black, “Inspire magazine: the self-help manual for al-Qaida terrorists,” Guardian (London), May 24, 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/may/24/inspire-magazine-self-help-manual-al-qaida-terrorists;
Sari Horwitz, “Investigators sharpen focus on wife of dead Boston bombing suspect,” Washington Post, May 3, 2013, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/investigators-sharpen-focus-on-boston-bombing-suspects-widow/2013/05/03/a2cd9d28-b413-11e2-baf7-5bc2a9dc6f44_story.html. In addition, the Kouachi brothers who carried out the January 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo were both reported to have met Awlaki in Yemen while training with AQAP.“Kouachi brothers had weapons training in Yemen,” Al Jazeera America, January 11, 2015, http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/1/11/kouachi-france.html.

Awlaki’s radicalizing influence was also apparent in the May 2015 attack on the “Draw Muhammad” cartoon contest in Garland, Texas,Dan Frosch and Ana Campoy, “Mother of Texas Gunman Sought to Keep Son From Extremism,” Wall Street Journal, May 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/mother-of-texas-gunman-sought-to-keep-son-from-extremism-1430951298. as well as the December 2015 San Bernardino shootings that killed 14. Following the San Bernardino attack, evidence emerged that one of the perpetrators, Syed Rizwan Farook, had listened to Awlaki’s sermons since at least 2011.“U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: U.S. v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, 4, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800606/download;
Adam Nagourney, Richard Perez Pena, and Ian Lovett, “Neighbor of San Bernardino Attackers Faces Terrorism Charges,” New York Times, December 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/18/us/san-bernardino-enrique-marquez-charges-justice-department.html. In the wake of the June 2016 Orlando shootings, it was revealed that shooter Omar Mateen had previously listened to Awlaki’s sermons.Gabe Gutierrez and Erik Ortiz, “Friend Who Told FBI About Orlando Shooter Omar Mateen Saw a ‘Red Flag,’” NBC News, June 21, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/friend-who-told-fbi-about-orlando-shooter-omar-mateen-saw-n596496.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
Position(s):
Former leader of External Operations, recruiter, trainer (deceased)

AQAP is the union of al-Qaeda’s affiliated branches in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. AQAP has claimed responsibility for terror attacks and plots worldwide, including the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.

  • Designations
  • Rhetoric

United Kingdom

United Nations

  • The United Nations listed Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) under the category “Entities and other groups and undertakings associated with Al Qaida” on January 19, 2010.“Al-Qaida Sanctions List,” United Nations, last modified September 9, 2014, http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/AQList.htm.

    The United Nations designated Anwar Nasser Abdulla al-Aulaqi as an individual associated with the Al-Qaeda Network on July 20, 2010.“Al-Qaida Sanctions List,” United Nations, last modified September 9, 2014, http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/AQList.htm.

Australia

Canada

Israel

  • Israel designated Anwar Nasser Ab[d]ulla al-Aulaqi as a Declared Individual under Article 2 of the Prohibition of Financing Terrorism on January 19, 2010.“טרור כפעילי שהוכרזו והיחידים הארגונים רשימות - נספחים” Prime Minister’s Office, http://www.pmo.gov.il/Secretary/GovDecisions/2013/Documents/des124B.doc.

United States

  • The U.S. Department of State designated Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act) on January 19, 2010. Freeze of assets in U.S. financial institutions; ban on admission of members to U.S.; ban on providing “material support or resources” to entity“Department of State’s Terrorist Designation of Ibrahim Assan Tali Al-Asiri,” U.S. Department of State, March 24, 2011, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/03/158911.htm.

    The Department of the Treasury designated Anwar al-Awlaki as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (under Executive Order 13224) on July 6, 2010. Blocks all property in U.S. or under possession of control of U.S. persons; bans any property-related transactions by U.S. persons or within U.S., including giving or receiving contributions to the entity.“Treasury Designates Anwar Al-Aulaqi, Key Leader of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabia Peninsula,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 16, 2010, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg779.aspx.

July 10, 2018

A clip from the Turkistan Islamic Party’s (TIP) documentary video encouraging Muslims in the West to emigrate for Jihad:

“Don’t play around with Islam. Don’t fool around with it. This is a serious religion and you need to be serious… Allah has promised you [paradise], but you have to pay a price.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: The Turkistan Islamic Party’s jihad in Syria,” Long War Journal, July 10, 2018, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/07/analysis-the-turkistan-islamic-partys-jihad-in-syria.php.

Date Not Determined

Constants on the Path of Jihad lecture:
“If the whole world betrays [terrorists], if the whole world stands against them, that would not harm them. They are protected by Allah […] They are betrayed a lot. They are betrayed by Muslims, munafiqeen [hypocrites]. And the whole world is against them, everybody world disagrees with them. But that does not harm them. In fact, their numbers keep on multiplying. There was an internal memo that was sent by Rumsfeld to the White House, he said we have arrested many of these terrorists and we have killed many of them, but they seem to multiply and carry on. Well Mr. Rumsfeld, the reason is because we are fighting [on behalf of] Allah…”“ANWAR AL AWLAKI Constants on The Path of Jihad Part 1,” YouTube video, February 18, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQcGnbZ-N9o.

Date Not Determined

Constants on the Path of Jihad lecture:
“…The kuffar are gonna blame [jihadists]. The kuffar are gonna speak about them. You’ll find that the kuffar are gonna write about them in their papers. They’re gonna speak negatively about them on TV and radio. But do these brothers [jihadists] care? Do they care about what people say about them? They don’t care what CNN would say or what BBC or ABC… they don’t care what the New York Times would write about them or what the Washington Post would say about them. They don’t care. They don’t care at all. As long as it pleases Allah […], I am happy. If it makes you upset, that doesn’t bother me. If Allah loves it, if Allah likes what I’m doing, if Allah is pleased with what I’m doing that’s what concerns me.”“ANWAR AL AWLAKI Constants on The Path of Jihad Part 1,” YouTube video, February 18, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQcGnbZ-N9o.

Date Not Determined

Constants on the Path of Jihad lecture:
“Who are the ones who are harsh against the kuffar? Who are the ones who are willing to stand up against the oppression of the kuffar? Who are the ones who are willing to terrorize the kuffar? [...] The word ‘erhab’[?] in Arabic, which is the translation of ‘terrorism’ is actually the word of Quran. Apparently the kuffar didn’t realize that until it was too late.”“ANWAR AL AWLAKI Constants on The Path of Jihad Part 1,” YouTube video, February 18, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQcGnbZ-N9o.

Date Not Determined

Constants on the Path of Jihad lecture:
“How are the hypocrites trying to change the meaning of jihad? He says, number one, [the so-called hypocrite [Muslim] says that jihad is defensive and not offensive. Number two. That jihad is only allowed to free Muslim land. Number three. That jihad must be performed by the permission and the instruction of the leader, the imam, who is a stooge, an agent of the Jews and the Crusaders. And they say that jihad has ended by the time of […] and some of them say that jihad is not appropriate for our present day, the day of global peace.”“ANWAR AL AWLAKI Constants on The Path of Jihad Part 1,” YouTube video, February 18, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQcGnbZ-N9o.

Date Not Determined

Constants on the Path of Jihad lecture:
“They’re [non-believers] calling it [jihad] terrorism and criminal acts, and they’re branding the followers of this path [jihad] as being terrorists, extremists, revolutionaries, and militias, and you see this point is important because these names deceive us. Whenever you see the word ‘terrorist’, replace it with the word ‘mujahid.’ Whenever you see the word ‘terrorism’, replace it with the word ‘jihad’. The reason why they’re not using ‘jihad’ and ‘mujiahideen’ is because these are words of Quran. So you can’t erase those. So they choose another word and give it their own definition and their choice was ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’ and other names that they try to use. But in reality what it is […] jihad fisabilillah. Terrorism is jihad. That is what they mean by it.”“ANWAR AL AWLAKI Constants on The Path of Jihad Part 1,” YouTube video, February 18, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQcGnbZ-N9o.

Date Not Determined

 “[Jihadists] are not doing [jihad] for their own benefits. This person could otherwise be a successful doctor or engineer or businessman. He could be making a living for himself and his family. But he went out for the sake of you. And then this is how he is treated. He is betrayed, his wife is betrayed, their children are betrayed, and not only that, but people are going to go on the media… talking against him. When he has given his life for the sake of the Ummah [Muslim community].”Worte der Wahrheit, “Sheikh Anwar Al-Awlakis Antwort auf Khalid Yasin - „Facebook-Mujahideen",” YouTube video, November 29, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BYYWwP8Yvg.

Date Not Determined

Never Trust a Kuffar lecture:
“You know, these nice neighbors and wonderful coworkers and friends… all that was needed was for […] to tell them that Muslims are evil people. That’s all what was needed and they pounced on the Muslims like wild beasts. This is in 20th century Europe. So those are counting on democracy and human rights and the civilized world and Amnesty International, don’t be fooled. Allah […] is telling you that they are up to no good. And Allah tells you… Allah knows your enemies. Are you going to go with what Allah… tells you or are you going to go with your assumptions?”“NEVER Trust a Non-Muslim [Anwar Al-Awlaki],” YouTube video, January 10, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAOH1OXoy18.

Date Not Determined

Never Trust a Kuffar lecture:
“The important lesson to learn here is never ever trust a kuffar [non-believer]. Do not trust them. You might argue and say, ‘But my neighbor is such a nice person. My classmates are very nice, my coworkers – they’re just fabulous people, they’re so decent and honest, and the only problem is that we Muslims are giving Islam a bad name. If these terrorists would just stop what they’re doing and we give them dawa [proselytizing] the right way, everyone is going to become a Muslim.’ Now, I’m not going to argue that your neighbor is not a nice person or your classmate, or… they very well, they truly might be decent and nice people. But brothers, when you, when you make a judgment about kufr [non-believers], you do not make a judgment based on your neighbor and then you […] generalize and you make a judgment according to one person that you know. Because this person that you know is not the one calling the shots. And when Quran talks about kuffar, it talks about the leader of kuffar, the leaders of kufr, the ones pulling the strings. Don’t make a judgement on kuffar based on, uh, Jane […] and John Doe. You don’t make it based on Joe Sixpack or Sally Soccermom. You make the judgment based on the leaders of al-Kuffar. And these are the ones whom Allah... has talked about in Quran.”“NEVER Trust a Non-Muslim [Anwar Al-Awlaki],” YouTube video, January 10, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAOH1OXoy18.

 

Date Not Determined

Battle of the Hearts and Minds lecture:
“[W]hat I really fail to understand, is how can the martyr, the Shaheed, who willingly and happily, hands over his soul to Allah, who walks towards his faith, with pleasure, and faces death with a smile, what I fail to understand is how can you call such a person a ‘coward’!”Talab al 'Ilm, “The Battle Of The Hearts And Minds // Anwar al-awlaki,” YouTube video, November 1, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aerL0c1pj0.

Anwar al-Awlaki,

Battle of the Hearts and Minds lecture:
“Miss Bernard and her cronies at Rand [Corporation] and [the] Pentagon should know that their plan would fail because Allah is the best of planners! And that the fundamentalists and extremists, whom they despise, are not only going to win in Afghanistan and Iraq, but they will continue their march, until they drag your people, the Jews, out of the Holy Land and plant their black banners on the roof tops of Jerusalem.”Talab al 'Ilm, “The Battle Of The Hearts And Minds // Anwar al-awlaki,” YouTube video, November 1, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aerL0c1pj0.

Date Not Determined

Battle of the Hearts and Minds lecture:
“Dear brothers and sisters we are not only victims, of U.S. military and political aggression, but we are also victims of U.S. lies! They have been lying about our brothers, charging them with false accusations, until they put hatred of them in our hearts, and they have planted the seeds of disunity amongst us! … They [Muslims] are victims of this Western media and U.S. lies. We need to be aware! We need to be careful.”Talab al 'Ilm, “The Battle Of The Hearts And Minds // Anwar al-awlaki,” YouTube video, November 1, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aerL0c1pj0.

Nov. 9, 2009

“Nidal Hasan is a hero. He is a man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people. Any decent Muslim cannot live, understanding properly his duties towards his Creator and his fellow Muslims, and yet serve as a U.S. soldier. The U.S. is leading the war against terrorism, which in reality is a war against Islam. Its army is directly invading two Muslim countries and indirectly occupying the rest through its stooges. The heroic act of brother Nidal also shows the dilemma of the Muslim American community. Increasingly, they are being cornered into taking stances that would either make them betray Islam or betray their nation.” The Evolution of a Radical Cleric: Quotes from Anwar Al-Awlaki,” New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09quotes.html.

Mar. 2010

“To the American people I say:

Do you remember the good old days when Americans were enjoying the blessings of security and peace? When the word ‘terrorism’ was rarely invoked, and when you were oblivious to any threats? I remember a time when you could purchase an airline ticket from the classified section of your local or college newspaper, and use it even though it was issued to a different name because no one would bother asking you for an ID before boarding a plane. No long lines, no elaborate searches, no body scans, no sniffing dogs, no taking off your shoes and emptying your pockets.

You were a nation at ease.

But America thought that it could threaten the lives of others, kill and invade, occupy and plunder, and conspire without bearing the consequences of its actions. 9-11 was the answer of the millions of people who suffer from American aggression. And since then America has not been safe. And nine years after 9-11, 9 years of spending, and nine years of beefing up security, you are still unsafe even in the holiest and most sacred of days to you, Christmas Day.

…

The simple answer is: America cannot and will not win. The tables have turned and there is no rolling back of the worldwide jihad movement.

…

I for one, was born in the US, and lived in the US for 21 years. America was my home. I was a preacher of Islam involved in non-violent Islamic activism. However, with the American invasion of Iraq and continued US aggression against Muslims, I could not reconcile between living in the US and being a Muslim, and I eventually came to the conclusion that jihad against America is binding upon myself, just as it is binding on every other able Muslim.” Anwar al-Awlaki, “Message to the American People,” Global Islamic Media Front, https://archive.org/details/AwlakiToUsa.

Feb. 14, 2011

“The U.S. is an empire of vain desires, one which under the guise of liberty permits and spreads every crime, sin, and deviation from proper human nature. The U.S. and the West permit freedom of expression about all forms of apostasy and corruption; they permit everything, except telling a truth that brings shame upon them. The U.S.'s open corruption takes place at the highest level – that is, [at the level of] the president of the U.S. himself, who has approved a law permitting homosexuals to join the military, a matter that demonstrates the level of degeneration to which this people has sunk… On the other hand,] no freedom of expression is afforded those who condemn the crimes of the U.S. and its agents, who rule [the world] by disseminating a great illusion called liberty, democracy, and human rights – phrases that are nothing but a cover for taking over the world's resources and treasures, oppressing the people, and depriving them of their rights.” Steven Stalinsky, “American-Yemeni Al-Qaeda Cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki Highlights the Role and Importance of Media Jihad, Praises Al-Jazeera TV Journalists and WikiLeaks,” MEMRI, March 15, 2011, http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5096.htm.

Feb. 14, 2011

“The U.S.'s open corruption takes place at the highest level—that is, [at the level of] the president of the U.S. himself, who has approved a law permitting homosexuals to join the military, a matter that demonstrates the level of degeneration to which this people has sunk.”Steven Stalinsky, “American-Yemeni Al-Qaeda Cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki Highlights the Role and Importance of Media Jihad, Praises Al-Jazeera TV Journalists and WikiLeaks,” Middle East Media Research Institute, March 15, 2011, http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5096.htm.

2011

“There is no difference in ruling between bayat and detonating a bomb in a populated center in a nation that is at war with the Muslims. Just as the swords of the companions and those who followed them could not distinguish between man, woman and child and yet were allowed to engage in bayat, why should we ban bombings of populated areas in disbelieving countries?” Anwar al-Awlaki, “Targeting the Populations of Countries that are at War with the Muslims,” Inspire Magazine Issue 8 (2010): 42.

2010

“Whenever the affair calms down, someone somewhere in the Western world is sure to flare it up again. From 2005 onwards the cycle of offense is unabated.

What the West is failing to realize is that these attacks are also serving as a mobilizing factor for the Muslims and are bringing more and more Muslims to the realization that jihad against the West is the only realistic solution for this problem along with a host of other problems that cannot be cured without fighting in the path of Allah.”

…

The West has started this war and it will turn colossal. The West is awakening a sleeping giant.

…

The entire Western system is staunchly protecting and promoting the defamation of Muhammad and therefore, it is the entire Western system that is at war with Islam. Assassinations, bombings, and acts of arson are all legitimate forms of revenge against a system that relishes the sacrilege of Islam in the name of freedom.” Anwar al-Awlaki, “May Our Souls Be Sacrificed For You!” Inspire Magazine Issue 1 (2010): 27-28.

2010

“[T]here were some completely misguided efforts such as those of some of the callers to Islam who paid a visit to Denmark along with young Muslim boys and girls to start a dialogue in order to build bridges of understanding between the Muslims and the people of Denmark!

It is not enough to have the intention of doing good. One must do good in the proper way. So what is the proper solution to this growing campaign of defamation?

The medicine prescribed by the Messenger of Allah is the execution of those involved. A soul that is so debased, as to enjoy the ridicule of the Messenger of Allah, the mercy to mankind; a soul that is so ungrateful towards its Lord that it defames the Prophet of the religion Allah has chosen for his creation does not deserve life, does not deserve to breathe the air created by Allah and enjoy a life provided by Allah. Their proper abode is Hellfire.

…

We, by the will of Allah will not back down from the defense of our beloved. We will fight for him, we will instigate, we will bomb and we will assassinate, and may our mothers be bereaved of us if we do not rise in his defense. It is the honor of the best of creation that is at stake and it is not much to set the world on fire for his sake.

…

Assassinations, bombings, and acts of arson are all legitimate forms of revenge against a system that relishes the sacrilege of Islam in the name of freedom.”

Anwar al-Awlaki, “May Our Souls Be Sacrificed For You!” Inspire Magazine Issue 1 (2010): 27-28..

2010

“The West has been plundering our wealth for centuries. Now is the time for payback. In Sha’Allah (God willing), the chickens will come home to roost.”Anwar al-Awlaki, “The Ruling on Dispossessing the Disbelievers wealth in Dar al-Harb,” Inspire Magazine 4 (2010): 60.

2010

“In the case of the United States, both the government and private citizens should be targeted. America and Americans are the Imam’s of kufr (disbelievers) in this day and age. The American people who vote for war mongering governments are intent on no good. Anyone who inflicts harm on them in any form is doing a favor to the ummah.”Anwar al-Awlaki, “The Ruling on Dispossessing the Disbelievers wealth in Dar al-Harb,” Inspire Magazine 4 (2010): 59.

2010

“The medicine prescribed by the Messenger of Allah is the execution of those involved. A soul that is so debased, as to enjoy the ridicule of the Messenger of Allah, the mercy to mankind; a soul that is so ungrateful towards its Lord that it defames the Prophet of the religion Allah has chosen for his creation does not deserve life, does not deserve to breathe the air created by Allah and enjoy a life provided by Allah. Their proper abode is Hellfire.”Anwar al-Awlaki, “May Our Souls Be Sacrificed For You!” Inspire Magazine 1 (2010): 27-28

March 2010

“We cannot stand idly in the face of such [American] aggression and we will fight back and incite others to do the same. I for one was born in the U.S., I lived in the U.S. for 21 years. America was my home. I was a preacher of Islam involved in non-violent Islamic activism. However, with the American invasion of Iraq and continued U.S. aggression against Muslims, I could not reconcile between living in the U.S. and being a Muslim. And I eventually came to the conclusion that jihad against America is binding upon myself, just as it is binding on every other able Muslim.”CNN, “Jihad against U.S. ‘binding,’” YouTube video, March 17, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yhgxb3t1fw; Anwar al-Awlaki, “Message to the American People,” Global Islamic Media Front, https://archive.org/details/AwlakiToUsa.

March 2010

“To the Muslims in America, I have this to say: How does your conscience allow you to live in peaceful coexistence with a nation that is responsible for the tyranny and crimes committed against your own brothers and sisters. How can you have your loyalty to your own government that is leading the war against Islam and Muslims.”CNN, “Jihad against U.S. ‘binding,’” YouTube video, March 17, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yhgxb3t1fw; Anwar al-Awlaki, “Message to the American People,” Global Islamic Media Front, https://archive.org/details/AwlakiToUsa.

“The U.S. is leading the war against terrorism, which in reality is a war against Islam. Its army is directly invading two Muslim countries and indirectly occupying the rest through its stooges. The heroic act of brother Nidal also shows the dilemma of the Muslim-American community. Increasingly, they are being cornered into taking stances that would either make them betray Islam or betray their nation.”“The Evolution of a Radical Cleric: Quotes from Anwar Al-Awlaki,” New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09quotes.html.

Feb. 2009

“I pray that Allah destroys America and all its allies.” Brooks Egerton, “Imam's e-mails to Fort Hood suspect Hasan tame compared to online rhetoric,” Dallas Morning News, November 26, 2010, http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20091129-Imam-s-e-mails-to-Fort-7150.ece.

Return to Full Database

Daily Dose

Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

Fact:

On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers. 

View Archive