Author:
Publication: The Associated Press
Date: September 24, 2001
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Here
is the text of Osama bin Laden's statement as provided on Monday by the
Al-Jazeera television news network, based in Qatar. It was translated from
Arabic by The Associated Press. Some sections of the faxed statement were
illegible.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious,
Most Merciful
Sunday, 6 Rajab 1422 (Sept. 23,
2001)
And for martyrs from their God their
reward and light
To our Muslim brothers in Pakistan
Peace be upon you and the mercy
of Allah and his blessings;
I received with great sorrow the
news of the murder of some of our Muslim brothers in Karachi while they
were expressing their opposition to the American crusade forces and their
allies on the lands of Muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We ask Allah
to accept them as martyrs and include them with prophets, their followers,
martyrs, good doers and the like and ask that their families be gifted
with patience and consolation, and bless their children and money, and
reward well for their Islam.
Whoever of them left children behind,
they are my children, and I am their caretaker, Allah willing.
It is no wonder that the Muslim
nation in Pakistan would rush to defend its Islam, since it is considered
the first line of defense for Islam in this area, just like Afghanistan
was the first line of defense for itself and for Pakistan before the Russian
invasion more than 20 years ago.
We hope that these brothers are
among the first martyrs in Islam's battle in this era against the new Christian-Jewish
crusade led by the big crusader Bush under the flag of the Cross; this
battle is considered one of Islam's battles ...(text illegible)
We incite our Muslim brothers in
Pakistan to give everything they own and are capable of to push the American
crusade forces from invading Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Prophet, Peace
Be Upon Him, said: Whoever didn't fight, or prepare a fighter, or take
good care of a fighter's family, Allah will strike him with a catastrophe
before Judgment Day.
I announce to you the good news
my loved brothers that we are steadfast on the path of Jihad for the sake
of Allah, following the example of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), with
the heroic, faithful Afghan people, under the leadership of our fighter
emir, who is proud of his religion, the prince of the faithful, Mullah
Mohammed Omar.
We ask Allah to make him victorious
over the forces of infidels and tyranny, and to crush the new Christian-Jewish
crusade on the land of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
If Allah makes you victorious, none
will defeat you and if He fails you, who after Him will make you victorious
and on Allah the faithful shall trust.
Your brother in Islam
Osama bin Mohammed bin Laden
