# Osama bin Laden

> Saudi terrorist and co-founder of al-Qaeda (1957–2011)

**Wikidata**: [Q1317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1317)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/osama-bin-laden

## Summary
Osama bin Laden was a Saudi terrorist and co-founder of al-Qaeda, active from 1957 to 2011. He is best known for his role in the terrorist organization that carried out the 9/11 attacks in the United States, as well as other global militant operations. His leadership and ideology shaped the global "war on terror" and influenced extremist movements worldwide.

## Biography
- Born: March 10, 1957 (approximate date)
- Nationality: Saudi Arabia
- Education: Attended King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Known for: Founding and leading al-Qaeda, masterminding the 9/11 attacks
- Employer(s): Al-Qaeda, Maktab al-Khidamat (Afghanistan-based training camp)
- Field(s): Terrorism, militant ideology, global insurgency

## Contributions
- **Al-Qaeda Co-Founder (1988):** Established the Salafi jihadist organization, which became a central player in global terrorism.
- **9/11 Mastermind:** Led the planning and execution of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.
- **Global Militant Operations:** Orchestrated attacks in Afghanistan, Sudan, and other countries, including the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings.
- **Maktab al-Khidamat:** Founded a training camp in Afghanistan to recruit and train terrorists, shaping the next generation of extremists.

## FAQs
**What was Osama bin Laden’s role in al-Qaeda?**
Osama bin Laden co-founded al-Qaeda in 1988 and served as its spiritual and ideological leader. He recruited fighters, planned attacks, and directed global operations until his death in 2011.

**Where was Osama bin Laden educated?**
He attended King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, though details about his specific education are limited.

**What were the key attacks attributed to Osama bin Laden?**
He is responsible for the 9/11 attacks (2001), the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings, and other militant operations in Afghanistan, Sudan, and beyond.

**How did Osama bin Laden die?**
He was killed in a U.S. military operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011.

## Why They Matter
Osama bin Laden’s leadership of al-Qaeda reshaped global security, leading to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the "war on terror." His ideology of global jihad influenced extremist movements worldwide, altering political and military strategies in the Middle East and beyond. His death marked the end of a decades-long terror campaign but left lasting ideological legacies in militant groups.

## Notable For
- **Mastermind of 9/11:** Orchestrated the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.
- **Founder of al-Qaeda:** Established one of the most influential extremist organizations in history.
- **Global Militant Leader:** Directed attacks in multiple countries, shaping counterterrorism policies.
- **Afghanistan’s Maktab al-Khidamat:** Created a training camp that produced future terrorists.
- **Symbol of Extremism:** His death triggered international responses and debates on terrorism.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
- Born in 1957 in Saudi Arabia, Osama bin Laden was raised in a wealthy family.
- Attended King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, where he studied civil engineering but later shifted to militant ideology.
- Influenced by radical Islamic teachings, he began questioning Saudi Arabia’s moderate interpretation of Islam.

### Rise in Extremism
- Moved to Afghanistan in the 1980s to fight against Soviet forces, aligning with local mujahideen.
- Joined the Mujahideen and later formed Maktab al-Khidamat, a training camp for future terrorists.
- Developed a global network of extremists, recruiting fighters from around the world.

### Al-Qaeda Formation
- Co-founded al-Qaeda in 1988 with Ayman al-Zawahiri, establishing it as a Salafi jihadist organization.
- Shifted focus from Afghanistan to global terrorism, targeting Western interests and U.S. forces.
- Published the 1998 *Fatwa* declaring war on the U.S. and its allies, solidifying his extremist ideology.

### Key Operations
- **1998 U.S. Embassy Bombings:** Led attacks in Kenya and Tanzania, killing over 200 people.
- **9/11 Attacks (2001):** Masterminded the coordinated terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Pennsylvania, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.
- **Afghanistan and Iraq:** Directed insurgent campaigns against U.S. and coalition forces, influencing the wars in both countries.

### Death and Legacy
- Killed in a U.S. military raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011.
- His death led to the dissolution of al-Qaeda’s core leadership but left extremist groups inspired by his ideology.
- His legacy continues to shape counterterrorism efforts and global security policies.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.smh.com.au/world/a-polite-confident-young-man-born-to-great-wealth-20110502-1e588.html)
2. The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://www.news24.com/wives-of-worlds-most-wanted-man-20150429)
5. [Growing Up bin Laden](https://books.google.dk/books?id=RcBwm5b8VbAC&pg=PA293&lpg=PA293&dq=Siham+Sabar&source=bl&ots=dmJcj3jFiq&sig=ACfU3U1EEiDsExW2HAFaVI5MDw9gJvmnMg&hl=da&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHwKKJ1tnhAhXRk4sKHfPYCREQ6AEwCXoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=Siham%20Sabar&f=false)
6. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/18/world/backed-by-us-saudis-seek-afghan-ouster-of-bin-laden.html)
7. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/world/middleeast/23amnesty.html)
8. [El príncipe Carlos habría recibido una donación de un millón de libras de la familia de Osama bin Laden](https://www.infobae.com/america/realeza/2022/07/30/el-principe-carlos-habria-recibido-una-donacion-de-un-millon-de-libras-de-la-familia-de-osama-bin-laden/)
9. datos.bne.es
10. [Source](http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/gallery/pakistan_bin_laden_scenes/)
11. [Source](http://www.boston.com/news/world/gallery/050211_bin_laden_media_coverage/)
12. [Source](http://www.boston.com/news/nation/specials/remembering_sept11/)
13. [Source](https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/chai56e.pdf)
14. CiNii Research
15. MusicBrainz
16. [Source](https://irp.fas.org/world/para/post.pdf)
17. [Wanted Terrorist – Usama Bin Laden](https://www2.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/terbinladen.htm)
18. Integrated Authority File
19. SNAC
20. Find a Grave
21. The Peerage
22. [Brockhaus Enzyklopädie](https://brockhaus.de/ecs/julex/article/bin-laden-osama)
23. Roglo
24. Munzinger Personen
25. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13256676)
26. [Minutes and Years: The Bin Ladin Operation. Central Intelligence Agency. 2016](https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/minutes-and-years-the-bin-ladin-operation/)
27. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
28. Virtual International Authority File
29. [Wanted Terrorist – Usama Bin Laden. Federal Bureau of Investigation](https://www2.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/terbinladen.htm)
30. [Source](http://www.irishcentral.com/news/bin-ladens-irish-teacher-remembers-an-inoffensive-young-fellow-121238624-237385361.html)
31. BBC Things
32. Getting Bin Laden
33. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
34. Open Library
35. Quora
36. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
37. The Movie Database
38. LIBRIS. 2011
39. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Usama-Ibn-Ladin;3991794.html)
40. FactGrid