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Growing Up Bin Laden: An Insider's Account of the Most Wanted Man in the World

Ernest Cline

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Osama bin Laden was the founder of Al-Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks. He was one of the most wanted men in the world, and his death in 2011 was a major victory for the United States and its allies.

Growing Up bin Laden: Osama's Wife and Son Take Us Inside Their Secret World

by Jean Sasson

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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But what was bin Laden like as a child? What were his family and upbringing like? And what led him down the path of terrorism?

In this article, we'll take a closer look at bin Laden's childhood and upbringing. We'll explore his family, his education, and his early influences. We'll also discuss the factors that may have led him to become a terrorist.

Osama bin Laden's Early Life

Osama bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 10, 1957. He was the 17th of 54 children born to Mohammed bin Laden, a wealthy construction magnate.

Bin Laden's father was a devout Muslim, and he instilled in his son a strong sense of religious piety. Bin Laden was also influenced by the teachings of the Wahhabi movement, a conservative branch of Islam that emphasizes the importance of following the Quran and the Sunnah (the sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad).

Bin Laden's family was very wealthy, and he grew up in a privileged environment. He attended elite schools in Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, and he developed a passion for hunting and falconry.

The Afghan-Soviet War

In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Bin Laden was deeply affected by this event, and he decided to travel to Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet occupation.

Bin Laden joined forces with other mujahideen fighters, and he quickly rose through the ranks. He became known for his bravery and his leadership skills, and he was eventually appointed commander of one of the most elite mujahideen units.

The Afghan-Soviet War had a profound impact on bin Laden. He witnessed the horrors of war firsthand, and he developed a deep hatred of the Soviet Union and its allies.

The Founding of Al-Qaeda

In 1988, the Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan. Bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia, but he was disillusioned with the government. He believed that the Saudi government was too close to the United States and that it was not ng enough to support the cause of Islam.

In 1989, bin Laden founded Al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization dedicated to fighting against the United States and its allies. Al-Qaeda quickly became one of the most powerful terrorist organizations in the world, and it was responsible for a number of high-profile attacks, including the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Factors That Led to Bin Laden's Extremism

There are a number of factors that may have led bin Laden to become a terrorist. These factors include:

His strong religious beliefs
His experiences in the Afghan-Soviet War
His disillusionment with the Saudi government
His belief that the United States was a threat to Islam

It is important to note that these are just some of the factors that may have contributed to bin Laden's extremism. There is no single explanation for why he became a terrorist.

Osama bin Laden was a complex and controversial figure. He was a devout Muslim who was deeply committed to the cause of Islam. He was also a ruthless terrorist who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people.

By understanding bin Laden's childhood and upbringing, we can gain a better understanding of the factors that led him down the path of terrorism. This understanding can help us to prevent future acts of terrorism and to build a more peaceful world.

Growing Up bin Laden: Osama's Wife and Son Take Us Inside Their Secret World

by Jean Sasson

4.7 out of 5