Osama Bin Laden the founder of al-Qaida is dead.  After a decade of being hunted as the worlds most wanted terrorist, United States Navy Seals killed him inside a fortified compound in the Pakistani City of Abbottabad.  He was buried at sea in Afghanistan under Islamic practice and tradition.

Osama Bin Laden was born in 1957 to a Syrian mother in Riyada, Saudia Arabia.  He was the 17^th son of 51 children.  His Father was Mohammed Awad Bin Laden a poor Yemeni Porter at the Jeddah Port.  Mohammed became an owner of the wealthiest and largest construction company in Saudia Arabia.  He built King Sauds palace, and three of his mosques.  Mohammed develops a close relationship with the Royal Family.

After King Saud step down, his father was appointed as the minister of Public Works and managed all of the construction projects.  Mohammed was a humble generous and devoted father.  At an early age, his children were taught confidence and social skills.  With his dominating personality he was tough and disciplined with strict religious beliefs.  He spent quality time with his children vacationing and traveling  to the sea and desert.   In 1967, his father dies in an airplane crash, and Osama bin Laden inherits a fortune of $300 million.

Osama Bin Laden grew up religious and wed at age 17 to his Syrian 15 year old cousin.  In years to come, he weds 3 more wives and fathered more than 20 children.  He graduated with a degree in public administration in 1981 from King Abdul-Aziz University in Jeddah.  There are conflicting reports to what he actually studied at the University.  Some reports claim he graduated with a civil engineering degree.  At Aziz University, is where he meets two influential teachers that introduce bin Laden to “transitional Jidad.”

During the Soviet invasion in 1980, bin Laden traveled to Afghanistan, to become a guerrilla commander fighting in fierce battles in Jalalabad.   He initiated a campaign to raise money against the Soviets for six years.

Bin Laden establishes  al-Qaida in 1988, which means “the base” in Arabic.   He assembled Islamic fighters that forced out Soviets from Afghanistan.   His network expanded and provoked terrorism between Islam and the West.  Bin Laden enables terrorism networks in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Tajikistan, and Somalia.

After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, bin Laden returns to Saudi Arabia a hero. He was provoked by the U.S. troop presence in the Persian Gulf.   The following year Saudi Arabia government expels bin Laden for his association with terrorist groups and his citizenship was denied in 1994.

He moved to Sudan in 1991, collaborating with other terrorist networks with the aid of Iran and Sudanese.   During this time, al-Qaida terror attacks escalated.  With pressure from the U.S. government Sudan expels bin Laden in 1996.   He returns to Afghanistan with anti-American sentiments.

As of December 29, 1992, al-Qaida first attack against U.S. forces on their way to a Somalia humanitarian mission.  An operative detonated a bomb in the hotel where U.S. troop had been staying.   Two Austrian tourists are killed.   At the same time, al-Qaida operatives were caught preparing to launch rockets at U.S. military troops at Aden airport, Yemen.  U.S. troops leave Aden immediately.

The following year in 1993, al-Qaida strikes U.S. soil, driving a Ryder rental van containing a bomb into the basement of the World Trade Center injuring thousands of people and killing six.  Six Islamic extremist of al-Qaida claimed responsibility.  Nearly 7 years later in 1999, terrorist attacked U.S. embassies and the U.S.S. Cole destroyer.

Operation Bojinka in 1995 was a foiled bombing plot in against 11 commercial airliners flying to the United States.    The plan was to strategically target transoceanic fights between Asia and the U.S – detonating bombs on the second leg of the flights.

Pakistani Khaild Sherikh Mohammed was identified by Philippine officials as an al-Qaida recruitment in the 1990s and later was accused of masterminding the September 11.

Bin Laden madness declares war in 1996 against U.S to drive out western influence from Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations.   His proclamation of war was aimed to attack Americans, Jew, and reformist throughout the world.

In one State Department memo as February 1, 1998, bin Laden says, “If someone can kill an American soldier, it is better wasting time on other matters.”

September 11, 2001 the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York collapsed after two hijacked commercial airliners crashed into the buildings killing everyone on board.   A third hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  Nearly 3,000 victims and 19 suicide hijackers died in the attacks.  Al-Qaida leader bin Laden claimed responsibility.

On September 12, 2001, President George W. Bush assembles Operation Enduring Freedom against terrorism and approves attacks against the Tailban in Afghanistan to capture al-Qaida and bin Laden   A $25 million bounty is placed on bin Laden head and CIA operatives are assigned to hunt down, capture or kill him.  One month later, U.S. led coalition forces begin military attacks against Afghanistan and al-Qaida.

After the attacks,  bin Laden warns on a Al-Jazeera broadcast, “al Qaida will have no rest until the Middle East Conflict is resolved and U.S. military bases in the region are shut down.” al-Qaida released a letter a month later calling on Muslins in Pakistan to defend Islam.

December 22, 2001, Richard Reid a British-born follower of bin Laden tried to blow up American Airlines Flight 63 from Miami to Paris with a shoe bomb explosive.  The plot was unsuccessful and Reid was sentence to life in prison.

He had no remorse for his actions and said, “ at war with the U.S. because it sponsored “rape and torture.”

A year later in March 14, 2004, U.S. and Afghanistan forces hunted Bin Laden and his deputy Ayman Al Zawahir for three days and nights in the Tora Bora mountain caves. The frustrated efforts to find bin Laden failed.   After U.S. force drove al-Qaida out of Afghan cities -bin Laden fled in 2001.

Nearly the seven years after September 11 attacks, bin Laden appears in his first videotape with a message to the American people on September 7, 2007.

Bin laden says, “The U.S. is vulnerable despite its economic and military power.”

Months later bin Laden speaks in another audiotape urging, “ European counties to end their alliance with U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

March 19, 2008, bin Laden unleashes audio recording threatening Europe for mocking  the Prophet Mohammad in published cartoon by the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten on September 2005 – reprinted years later in various journals.   Bin Laden claimed” Its part of a crusade which the Pope Benedicts is involved.”  The Vatican was appalled by the accusations.

Two months later May 16, 2008 another audiotape message by bin laden says, “Western Peoples,” calls for the fight against Israel to continue and says the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at the Muslim battle with the West.”  The audiotape posted two days later bin Laden urges, “ Muslims to break the Israeli-led blockage of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and fight Arab governments that deal with the Jewish state.”

Over the next several decades bin Laden continues recording messages and on June 3, 2009, an aired audio recording with Al Jazeera TV he accuses, “Moderate Arab leaders of plotting with the West against Muslims.” The audio message continues saying, “ President Barack Obama has planted the seeds of revenge and hatred toward American in the Muslim world and warned Americans to prepare of the consequences. “

Four months later on September 14, 2009 bin Laden warns the American people over their relationship with Israel saying, “ It’s been time for American to free themselves from the grip of neo-conservatives and the Israeli lobby.”

Then ten days later in another audiotape bin Laden is demanding, “ European nations withdraw their troops from Afghanistan, they were sacrificing men and money in an unjust U.S.-led war. “ The audiotape adds, “The reason for our dispute with you is your support for your ally Israel, occupying our land in Palestine.”

On December 25, 2009, a Northwest Airlines flight 253 carrying 300 passengers approaching Detroit hear a pop and smoke filled the cabin.  Umar Abdulmutallab is accused for trying to bring down the flight.  The flight lands safely and the suspect was arrested.  Four days later al-Qaida claims responsible for the failed bombing in a Web site posting -saying the attack was in revenge against a U.S. operation in Yemen.  Beginning the new year January 24, 2010, an audio recording aired on Al Jazeera claimed responsibility for the December 25 attempted bombing of a U.S. bound plane to Detroit.

Bin Laden says, “The message sent to you with the attempt by the hero Nigerian Umbar Farouk Abdulmutallab is a confirmation of our previous message conveyed by the heroes of September 11.”

According to a released audiotape on January 29, 2010, bin Laden blames American and other industrialized countries for global warming, hunger, desertification, and floods across the globe.  He calls for the world to boycott American goods and U.S. currency.

Al-Jazeera TV receives another audiotape broadcast from bin Laden as he warns, “ dangers of climate change and the way to stop it is to bring the wheels of the American economy to a halt.

The Afghan leader Hamid Karzai arrives in Saudi Arabia as of February 1, 2010 to discus Saudi role in his plans to incorporate Taliban militants.  Saudi officials pledges an additional $150 million in aid but, will not negotiate with Taliban and get involved in a peacemaking with Afghanistan unless bin laden is expelled.

The Last Recorded message broadcasted as of January 21, 2011 on Al-Jazeera TV, bin Laden demands exchange for French hostages for a pullout of France’s soldiers in Afghanistan and warned Paris of a “high price” for its policies. “We repeat the same message to you: “The release of your prisoners in the hands of our brothers is linked to the withdrawal of your soldiers from our country.”

As of May 1, 2011 was the end of Osama Bin Laden reign of terror.  As crowds form in the nation waving and singing in a joyous memorable moment, President Obama says “justice  has been done.”

(Sources: The State Department, NBC News, The Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times, Frontline, MSNBC.com research contributed to the reports.)

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About the author

Belen Ward
In a nutshell, I'm an explorer that craves adventure and is willing to take risks. I'm highly curious, creative, energetic, and spontaneous. I have many interests- my first love is photojournalism, writing and traveling.