Ayman al-Zawahiri
Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri[3] was born June 19, 1951. He is an Egyptian physician,[4] Islamic theologian and current leader of the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda.[5] Ayman al-Zawahiri is a former member of Islamist organizations which have organised and carried out attacks in North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In 2012 he called on fellow Muslims to kidnap western tourists in Muslim countries.[6]
Ayman al-Zawahiri أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري | |
|---|---|
 Ayman al-Zawahiri, November 2001 | |
| 2nd General Emir of Al-Qaeda | |
| Assumed office June 16, 2011[1] | |
| Preceded by | Osama bin Laden |
| Deputy Emir of Al-Qaeda | |
| In office 1988–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Abu Khayr al-Masri |
| Co-founder of Al-Qaeda (with Abdullah Azzam and Osama bin Laden) | |
| In office 1988–1989 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Co-founder of Maktab al-Khidamat | |
| In office 1984–1988 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Emir of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad | |
| In office 1991–1998 | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad abd-al-Salam Faraj |
| Succeeded by | Merger with Al-Qaeda |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri June 19, 1951 Maadi, Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt |
| Died | 2 June 2020 |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Spouse(s) | Azza Ahmed (m. 1978–2001, her death), Umaima Hassan |
| Children | Show all (7)
|
| Alma mater | Cairo University |
| Occupation | Surgeon |
| Allegiance |  Egyptian Islamic Jihad (1980–1998)[2] Al-Qaeda (1988–present) |
| Years of service | 1980–present |
| Rank | General Emir of Al-Qaeda |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan War in North-West Pakistan |
Since the September 11 attacks, U.S. State Department has offered a US$25 million reward for information leading to al-Zawahiri's arrest.[7] He is under worldwide sanctions by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee as a member or affiliate of al-Qaeda.[8]
Earlier life
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.[9]
al-Zawahiri is the author of several works including numerous al-Qaeda statements. He speaks Arabic, English[10][11] and French.
References
- ↑ "Al-Qaeda's remaining leaders". BBC News. June 16, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ↑ "Ayman al Zawahiri". Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ↑ Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري ʾAyman Muḥammad Rabīʿ aẓ-Ẓawāhirī
- ↑ "AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI". Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- ↑ "Zawahiri 'becomes al-Qaeda chief'". June 16, 2011 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ↑ CNN, By Chelsea J. Carter. "Al Qaeda leader calls for kidnapping of Westerners". CNN.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ "CNN Programs - People in the News". edition.cnn.com.
- ↑ "UN list of affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Taliban".
- ↑ "Succession to throne: Ayman al Zawahiri named head of al Qaeda". The Express Tribune.
- ↑ "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. Retrieved April 26, 2010.