Religion and Politics 5. Background to Osama bin Laden and his Declaration of War (Jihad) on the U. S.

This is part one of a two part lecture on Osama bin Laden. Part Two  will focus on his Declaration of War on the United States (1996).  Osama issued two Declarations of War, in 1996 and in 1998.  The second was called a “fatwa.” Both are available on the internet.  I suggest that you download the 1996 declaration. so you can follow along as we discuss it. 
  
My goal is to show bin Laden’s background and view of world conflict.  I was not arguing with him.   I told students that if their thinking after analyzing a document such as before, then no learning had taken place.  

I would tell students that Osama made five key points.  I agreed with him on four.  We parted ways when he said Muslims should kill Americans.  I did this to model openness of mind, and to help students realize that agreeing with Osama did not mean you supported what happened on September 11.
 
This was a class lecture.  There may be a few times when I talk about readings and assignments.  Sorry about that. 

Here are some terms and references that some people don't know.

Dawa: Preaching about Islam, spreading Islam

 Ansar:  The companions (supporters) of Mohammed were called the Ansar. 

 Scholars (Ulema): The recognized scholars of Islamic law.  Mujtihad means one.   

 Fatwa: An opinion by a recognized religious scholar on how to interpret Islamic law. 

 Apostate:  One who has abandoned the faith. 

 Qibla:  The site faced while praying.  Today it is Mecca.  Originally it was Jerusalem. 

 Night Journey:  God took Muhammed on a flying creature to Jerusalem. 

Al Aqsa: The sacred place, i.e., the mosque in Jerusalem.  This term is in the Koran. 

 Sharia: Islamic law, both the specific rules and the general principles. 

 Shirk/Mushirk:  One who has something in the heart ahead of God, i.e., one who worships a false god or false belief or false authority. 

 Umma/Ummah:  The Muslim community or Muslim people (worldwide). 

 Grand Mufti bin Baz.  Was head of Saudi Ulema. Literalist interpretations.  Close to monarchy.  His fatwa said that because of danger from Saddam, it was acceptable to admit US soldiers

 Abdullah Azzam.  A Palestinian professor who influenced Osama.  He was killed. 

Ahmad Yassen.  Spiritual leader of Hamas.  Later killed by the Israelis. 

Omar Abdur Rahman.  Blind Egyptian sheikh who planned NYC attacks. In US prison. 

William Perry.  Secretary of Defense when the Khobar attack occurred in 1998.

Abdul Aziz.  Founder of Saudi Arabia.  Americans call him ibn Saud. 

Bernard Lewis & Samuel Huntington.  Professors who teach Clash of Civilizations. 

 Sykes-Picot: WWI plan to partition the Arab world into zones of Western influence. 

 Wahab.  Early religious reformer whose strict teaching called for a return to the founding principles of the faith.  Movement is sometimes called Wahabism or Salafi. 

 Somalia: US forces ambushed.  Black Hawk Down movie

 Khobar, 1996.  Attack on U.S. base in Saudi Arabia

Khost Tunnel Complex:  Built in Afghanistan during Russian War.  US financed it. 

 Qana Massacre: Israelis attack UN post in 1998.  Killed over 100 Lebanese refugees.

 USS Cole, 1998.  US warship bombed by Zodiac boat.  Nearly sank.