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On May 2, 2024, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) commemorated the 13th anniversary of the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by U.S. Special Forces in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. Al-Mirsaad, a multi-lingual media outlet linked to the Taliban's intelligence department, republished an audio statement of by Osama bin Laden and an article defending him in Pashtu and Dari.
According to an Aamaj News report, the commemoration comes as the Afghan Taliban government is accused of providing "weapons, passports, women, and houses to Al-Qaeda commanders."[1]In 2022 and 2023, the United Nations Security Council reported in its annual reports on Afghanistan that the Taliban government was sponsoring "Al-Qaeda and other foreign jihadi organizations"[2] and had "appointed Al-Qaeda commanders to government positions, provided them with monthly salaries, training camps."[3]
Following is a transcript of Osama bin Laden's audio speech in which he gives reasons from the early Islamic practices for expressing bay'a ("oath of allegiance") to then Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, also noting that an invasion of Afghanistan by America "equates to an assault on Islam and Muslims" worldwide.[4] The transcript is followed by the translation of a Pashtu-language article published by Al-Mirsaad, a media outlet linked to the intelligence department of the Afghan Taliban.[5]
Transcript Of Osama Bin Laden's Speech: "American Invasion Of Afghanistan's Territory Today Equates To An Assault On Islam And Muslims"
"The Statement By Sheikh Osama Bin Laden – May Allah Have Mercy On Him – Regarding The Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan
"Our allegiance to Emir al-Momineen (Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid) is a significant allegiance and it originates from the Quran and Prophetic Hadiths [sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad]. As in a hadith, cited in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Hudhaifa recounts that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him: 'O Hudhaifa, stick to the group of Muslims and their imam (ruler).'
"Likewise, in a hadith cited in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (peace be upon him), states: Whoever dies and does not have the noose of allegiance on his neck has died a pre-Ignorance death. This admonition sufficed for the Companions [of Muhammad]. They were not like us merely; the mention of Ignorance and admonition was adequate for them because they had experienced living in the era of Ignorance, a life detached from the path of Allah.
"This understanding spurred them to flee at the mere mention of Ignorance, akin to a man fleeing from a lion. Every Muslim ought to believe in his heart that he has pledged allegiance to Emir Al-Momineen Mullah Muhammad Omar (may Allah have mercy on him) and this is a profound allegiance.
"We strongly advise and urge Muslims both within and outside Afghanistan to lend their support to the Taliban. We assert to Muslims worldwide that endeavors conducted outside the realm of the [Taliban-led] Islamic Government's existence do not culminate in the intended outcomes.
"Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) spent thirteen years in Mecca upon invitation, resulting in the preparation of several hundred muhajireen. Eventually, when he established the Emirate in Medina, although it was relatively weak and small compared to other governments, including Persia, Rome, Abbas, Tibian, Ghatafan, and the Arab tribal governments in the vicinity.
"Despite the attempts by Bedouin Arabs to dismantle it, much good emerged from it. We call upon all Muslims to support this Emirate to the fullest extent possible, including with their abilities, resources, ideas, counsel, and financial contributions. Today they are the very individuals symbolizing the raising of the Islamic flag. Any American invasion of Afghanistan's territory today equates to an assault on Islam and Muslims."
Following is the text of the article, as translated from Pashtu:
Pashtu-Language Article: 'People Like Osama Bin Laden Are Very Rare In This Era Because Despite Having The Wealth Of The World, He Devoted Himself To The Awakening Of The Islamic Ummah'
"The Defender of the Oppressed: Sheikh Osama bin Laden, May Allah Have Mercy On Him
"Yesterday [May 2] was the 13th anniversary of the martyrdom of Sheikh Osama bin Laden, Allah have mercy on him.
"In a world where oppression and tyranny had fallen on Muslims like raindrops and even Muslim rulers ruled in Islamic countries out of fear, a great man rose from the city of Al-Haramain [Meccan and Medina] and was expelled from his home and country for the honor of protecting the religion of his grandfather, the Last of Messengers [Muhammad], peace be upon him.
"He was Osama bin Laden, may Allah have mercy on him, and he was of a high position among the rulers of Al-Haramain and from a rich (wealthy) family. His sense and determination in defending the religion and the sacred space of Islam was so high that after declaring the truth, he left his city and country, and travelled thousands of kilometers to fight the unbelievers.
"Osama bin Laden, may Allah have mercy on him, the benefactor of the Ummah and the implementer of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah [Muhammad], peace be upon him, in the current age of jihad and sedition!
"Osama bin Laden, may Allah have mercy on him, was the one who taught the youth about sacrifice, love, and courage.
"He believed in Allah almighty and was a courageous mujahid with patience, and bravery. People like Osama bin Laden are very rare in this era because despite having the wealth of the world, he devoted himself to the awakening of the Islamic Ummah and sacrificed all his capital (wealth) in the way of Allah and the honor of Muslims.
"Osama bin Laden, may Allah have mercy on him, is the one for whose defense, Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid [the Afghan Taliban founder] stood against all (Eastern and Western) forces and even lost his government and authority to protect him [after the U.S. military invaded Afghanistan following the 9/11 terror attacks].
"He is Osama bin Laden, may Allah have mercy on him, was an unparalleled mujahid and defender of every oppressed. May Allah unite him with the martyrs and good people."
[1] AamajNews24 (Afghanistan), May 2, 2024.
[2] MEMRI Daily Brief No. 390, According To UN Report, Afghan Taliban Continue To Sponsor Al-Qaeda And Other Foreign Jihadi Organizations Such As Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), And East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), June 17, 2022.
[3] MEMRI Daily Brief No. 492, UN Security Council Report Says Afghanistan's Taliban Rulers Have Appointed Al-Qaeda Commanders To Government Positions, Provide Them With Monthly Salaries, Training Camps, June 15, 2023.
[4] Twitter, May 2, 2024.
[5] AlMirsaad, (Afghanistan), May 3, 2024.
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