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An Interview with Mustafa Abul-Yazid
(May Allah Protect Him)
(Aired of Liqaa Al-Yawm, Al-Jazeera TV, June 21, 2009)
Ahmed Zaidan: Dear viewers, welcome to our program, Liqaa Al-Yawm (Today’s
Meeting), in which we host the Commander of Al-Qaedah in Afghanistan,
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid. We welcome you on this program Liqaa Al-Yawm on Al-Jazeerah
TV.
My first question is what do you expect to happen in Afghanistan? Where is
the situation heading? What is the scale of Al-Qaedah’s participation in the
war in Afghanistan?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all that exists.
After six years, or seven years or more, and when we compare America’s
previous haughtiness and tyranny to their present humiliation, breakdown,
and continual defeat, militarily, economically and financially, the
situation has changed completely.
We expect that this year, Allah willing, there will be even more victories,
conquests and supremacy for the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, and an even
more breakdown, defeat and continual loss for America, Allah willing.
As for the statement of the new criminal in the White House, Obama, about
his new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Mujahidoon view it in
light of the saying of truthful believers. When they heard that there would
be an increase in foreign forces, American forces in Afghanistan, they said
the same as the believers who Allah (U) mentioned in His saying:
﴿ الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمْ
فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَقَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا اللّهُ وَنِعْمَ
الْوَكِيلُ ﴾
Those unto whom the people said, “Verily, the people have gathered against
you, so fear them.” But it (only) increased them in Faith, And they said:
“Allah is Sufficient for us! And He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” (Surah
Aali Imran:173)
They said this saying of the believers, while the moral of the Mujahidoon in
Afghanistan, by the Grace of Allah, is high, their motivation is strong, and
they are determines to continue their Jihad until victory is achieved, Allah
(I) willing.
As for the extent of our participation in the Jihad in Afghanistan, all
praise is due to Allah, we participate with our brothers, the Mujahidoon of
the Islamic Emirate, in all fields. Militarily, our brothers can be found in
most of the fronts and cities in Afghanistan, fighting side by side with
their brothers from the Mujahidoon of the Islamic Emirate. This had a great
positive effect on the morale of the Mujahidoon in Afghanistan, for they
felt that this Jihad was a Jihad of the entire Islamic Ummah. As you know,
Al-Qaedah is composed of Mujahidoon brothers from all countries of the
[Islamic] world, and Mujahidoon even come to us from the lands of the
infidels. The youth continue to proceed to the battlefields of Jihad and to
us, by the Grace of Allah, and join Al-Qaedah despite all the attempts of
the enemies to prevent this. Allah has foiled their efforts, and all praise
is due to Allah. This is how we participate with them in military
operations.
Also in regards to military training, we have many camps in various places
in which we train the Mujahidoon of the Islamic Emirates as well as the
Emigrant Mujahidoon who have come from other countries. All praise is due to
Allah, we train them to use various weapons and war tactics. We also
inculcate into them the teachings of faith, belief and ideology. By the
Grace of Allah, many have completed training from these camps, and they now
carry the firm beliefs of Islamic Monotheism, Jihad, and Alliance and Enmity
- beliefs which the enemies call the ideology of Al-Qaedah, while in reality
it is the ideology of Islam. The ideology of Islam includes Islamic
Monotheism, Jihad, and Alliance and Enmity. These are beliefs of Islam and
the Muslims.
So many have completed the training and now firmly carry these beliefs, and
this is what America hates. We give them the glad tidings of those things
which they hate. The ideology of Al-Qaedah is spreading by the Grace of
Allah, and all of the Ummah’s youth are taking to this ideology, which is,
as we mentioned, the ideology of Islam and not just the ideology of
Al-Qaedah.
We also participate with them in the media, and you know the tremendous role
played by As-Sahab Media Foundation in the distribution of various
statements and films, audio and visual, etc.
We also participate with them by consulting the leaders of Taliban, the
leaders of the Islamic Emirate. We continually sit with them and consult
with them about all the new events and future plans in every stage. All
praise is due to Allah, the scale of our participation is quite large, and
there are huge results to this, Allah willing. Allah willing, we will see
its results soon.
Ahmed Zaidan: Mr. Mustafa Abul-Yazid, some people say that there are two
groups within the Taliban Movement, one moderate and another extreme. The US
and many other countries wish to negotiate with the moderates to defeat the
extremists. Do you in Al-Qaedah see that this division exists in the Taliban
Movement? Secondly, what do you think about this American claim?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: Yes... These are false notions in the minds of the
American administration and others who follow their ways. From what we know
of the Mujahidoon of Taliban now and before, there is no such division
between moderates and extremists as they claim. Rather they are all
brothers, students of knowledge and Mujahidoon in the Cause of Allah (U).
This division does not exist within their ranks. Let them tell us who these
moderates and extremists are. Do they mean by moderates those that accept
that America occupies Afghanistan and that there have a president who is
their agent? Is this what they mean my moderates? Who from the Afghan people
will accept them? These, as we mentioned, are false notions and lies. This
has also been refuted by the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, even the
Leader of the Believers, Mullah Muhammad Umar, may Allah protect him, and
also Mullah Brader. They clearly stated that none have the right to decide
anything except for them, and that whatever has been said about these
negotiations are lies and false notions, holding no truth whatsoever.
We also ask, what is there to negotiate about? We see that there is nothing
to negotiate about at this stage, because they, the Americans, wish to stay
however they can, and they wish to have an proxy government in place
submissive to them. Quite the opposite, the Taliban and also us, we see that
there is nothing to be negotiated about, except that America leaves
Afghanistan and an Islamic Emirate which rules with the Book of Allah and
the Sunnah of his Messenger of Allah (r) is reestablished. There is no room
for negotiations, and we know the saying of Allah well, which says:
﴿ وَلَن تَرْضَى عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلاَ النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ
مِلَّتَهُمْ ﴾
“The Jews and the Christians will never be pleased with you (accept you)
unless you follow their form of religion.” (Al-Baqarah:120)
We also know His saying:
﴿ وَلاَ يَزَالُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ حَتَّىَ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَن دِينِكُمْ إِنِ
اسْتَطَاعُواْ ﴾
“And they will never cease to fight you until they turn you away from your
religion if they can.” (Surah Al-Baqarah:217)
Thus, there is no room for negotiation about this issue.
Ahmed Zaidan: Returning to the issue of your participation in the war in
Afghanistan, can you mention some large-scale operations carried out
Al-Qaedah inside Afghanistan in the last several years?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: The operation which took place in Khost last year,
also reported in the media. It occurred at a base of the America leadership
in Khost, in its airport. By the Grace of Allah, this was organized by
Al-Qaedah, and our brothers from the Taliban also participated in it. This
was one of the well-known operations in which we participated. Many of the
martyrdom-seeking operations in Khost, Kabul, and other areas were also
organized by our brothers, and they also participated in it. Generally, our
participation in the Jihad inside Afghanistan is under the leadership of the
Islamic Emirate, under the field commanders of the Islamic Emirate. We
participate with them and give them our ideas.
Ahmed Zaidan: Can you give us an estimate about the number of Al-Qaedah
fighters in Afghanistan?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: I cannot tell you exactly… there are some who
have joined Al-Qaedah… they have pledged allegiance, while there are others
who work underneath Al-Qaedah - they are part of it, but in the general
sense of the organization, not that they have fully joined it or that they
have pledged allegiance. In addition to these two types, there are also
other organizations fighting Jihad, organizations from Pakistan, Turkey and
from many countries who as organizations have joined us.
Ahmed Zaidan: Do you have any relations with Al-Hizb Al-Islami, Hikmatyar,
or other groups which are not under the banner of the Islamic Emirate?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: We have relations with Al-Hizb Al-Islami. They come to
us and we sit with them. We always advise them that it is an obligation that
we join our efforts, work on one front, and that they should work under the
Islamic Emirate. We have told them repetitively that we are still under the
Islamic Emirate, and we regard the Leader of the Believers in Afghanistan to
be our leader in the Jihad in Afghanistan, and that it is an obligation upon
them to do the same and come under the Islamic Emirate. They say that they
do not have a problem with this, but that there should first be some
conditions and some things that they agree upon, and then they will unite
under the banner of the Islamic Emirate. So yes our relations with them are
fine.
Ahmed Zaidan: The current situation in Swat, Waziristan, the Waziristan
Taliban’s threat that they may start operations against the Pakistan army…
first of all, how is your relationship with the Pakistani Taliban, and
secondly, what do you think about these operations, both the operations of
the Pakistan army or the Taliban’s response in Swat and elsewhere?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: Yes… as for our relationship with our brothers, the
Pakistani Taliban, all praise is due to Allah, they are good and strong.
When we left Afghanistan, they opened their houses and hearts for us, both
them and the Muslim masses in the tribal areas, may Allah reward them
greatly. They repeated what we find in Islamic history of the Emigrants and
the Helpers during the time of the Prophet (r). We were the Emigrants and
they were the Helpers. They gave us shelter, came to our aid and defended us
when the brutal Pakistani armed forces attacked them. They attacked them
because of the fact that they defended us and stood by our sides. So they
attacked them, and they defended with all they could. They defended us, and
we also stood with them. All praise be to Allah, after many wars, the
Pakistani army was forced to retreat and they made treaties with them which
guaranteed their safety in these areas. During this time, we used to sit
with them to discuss and consult, and the result was that our ideology and
methodology became one. Today they are upon the same methodology and
ideology as us, by the Grace of Allah (I), in regards to Islamic monotheism,
Jihad, and Alliance and Enmity. This is what we gained the most in this
area, of course in the general interest of Islam and Jihad, not in our own
interest. This is what the Pakistani Taliban believe, rather, this is what
the general masses of Muslims believe in the tribal areas.
When many areas of Afghanistan were won over and freed, we were able to
enter Afghanistan, and so we did, as our first and foremost goal is to fight
Jihad against American and expel them from Afghanistan. So we entered, while
some of us stayed in the tribal areas, and these people are still aiding,
defending and sheltering us. May Allah reward them.
We and the leaders of those Mujahidoon, the leaders of the Taliban, have a
strong relationship. We continually meet with them. They come to us and we
go to them. The result of these meetings and discussions was that we
strongly encouraged them to unite and become one, and all praise is due to
Allah, this occurred, and the Mujahidoon Unity Shura Committee came into
existence, which will have great influence in their defense against and
confrontation of the brutal Pakistani army which we hear these days are
planning to attack Waziristan. Allah willing, they will retreat at loss and
be annihilated by the Mujahidoon, more than even before. Before, the
Pakistan army would call a ceasefire in one area and attack the Mujahidoon
in another. But now the Mujahidoon have announced that that they are united
as one. If they fight Jihad, they will do so in all areas, and if there is
peace, it will be in all areas. So Allah willing, they will be defeated.
Also in Swat, our Mujahidoon brothers there are determined and steadfast,
and they are defending Swat. I expect that the Pakistani army will be
defeated will retreat from there. They have fought the Mujahidoon in Swat
for many years but failed, why is he fighting against them again now with
such force? It is only because America pay a huge bribe to this lead
burglar, Zardari. Only after this did they advance and do what they did.
Allah willing, we expect them to be defeated and retreat at a loss, and
Allah willing, this will be their end all over Pakistan.
Ahmed Zaidan: Some people believe that you people are leading Pakistan to
its destruction, and if this occurs, its nuclear weapons will be taken
control of by the Americans, or as Obama said, that they have an emergency
plan to take control of the nuclear weapons. Don’t you think that these
operations in Swat and Waziristan may have a dangerous outcome on Pakistan.
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: It was the Pakistan army who started these attacks.
They started their attacks against Waziristan, and then the other tribal
areas, such as Swat, Bajaur, Mehmand and others. They (the tribes) were only
defending themselves. It was the army who forced them to do this. It was not
them who started the war with the Pakistani army. Their goal here in the
tribal regions was to expel the occupiers from Afghanistan. But when the
Pakistan army attacked them, they started to repel this aggression. Both we
and them, our goal at first was not the Pakistan army and government, but
with their continual attacks against us and them, and also their heinous
crimes against the Pakistani people and the Mujahidoon, their imprisonment
of many of the Arab Mujahidoon and handing them over to America, their crime
against the Red Mosque, and their crime of removing the laws of Islam and
importing British laws to rule the Muslim country; all these atrocities and
many others which were committed by the Pakistani government and army is
what led to this fighting. Allah willing, the nuclear weapons will not fall
into the hands of America. Rather, the Muslims will take control of them and
use them against America, Allah willing.
Ahmed Zaidan: There is a general feeling that there has been a setback in
the large-scale international Al-Qaedah operations, and that it is an
indication of the weakness of the organization. First, do you agree with
this analysis, and if you do, then what is the reason for this?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: As for the weakness of Al-Qaedah, all praise is for
Allah, all people can see and hear the spread and strength of Al-Qaedah, and
the fact that they have opened many branches in many Muslim countries, by
the Grace of Allah. The fact that there has been a slowdown in its
large-scale operations is due to the fact that first, we have open fronts in
various countries in which the same goals are achieved as those sought in
the large-scale operations we used to carry out, such as inflicting great
harm upon the enemy. All people saw and heard the great losses suffered by
Americans in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas. So many of the goals of
large-scale operations have been fulfilled in these various battlefields.
Also, we have not left, nor will we ever leave these large-scale operations.
Rather we did make preparations, and some of them even reached their final
stages, but for certain reasons they were not implemented, and the enemy
knows this well.
As we said, we will continue to prepare for these types of operations and
implement them, which delight the believers and enrage the infidels Allah
willing. Also, we have demanded and continue to demand all branches of
Al-Qaedah to carry out such large-scale operations.
Ahmed Zaidan: What is the strategy of Al-Qaedah for the coming stage?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: The strategy of Al-Qaedah in the coming stage is the
same as it was in the previous stage, which is to strike the head of the
snake, the greatest idolic tyrant, America. This will be accomplished by
continuing our work in the various battlefields, by opening new fronts
according to the general interest of Islam and the Muslims, increasing the
military operations which exhaust the American enemy economically and
financially, as well as pushing towards Jerusalem. Sheikh Usama, may Allah
protect him, has set practical steps which we hope to implement, and these
steps are for all the Mujahidoon and not only for Al-Qaedah. We will also
continue to encourage the Islamic Ummah and recruit them to follow the
leaders of Jihad and its truthful scholars, Allah willing.
Ahmed Zaidan: Dear viewers, welcome back to Liqaa Al-Yawn with Mr. Mustafa
Abul-Yazid. If we can move to the issue of Iraq, since Sheikh Usama said
that the march towards Palestine and Jerusalem will be from Iraq. How do we
reconcile the fact that there are two ‘Leader of the Believers’, a Leader of
the Believers in Iraq and a Leader of the Believers in Afghanistan? Also,
what do you think of the actions of the Islamic State of Iraq in light of
the many objections of many Jihadi groups in Iraq against it?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: As for Iraq, all praise is due to Allah, the Jihad has
accomplished many of its goals. The American enemy after six years has
decided to run away from Iraq and retreat. As for the matter of there being
two leaders, one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, first of all, each one is a
leader in their respective area. It is said that so and so is the Leader of
the Believers in Iraq and so and so is the Leader of the Believers in
Afghanistan. Ideally there should be one leader for the Muslims, and that is
if there is an Islamic Caliphate. In this case, there should be one leader
and Caliph which presides over all believers. But the scholars have spoken
on this issue, and they explained that there may be some circumstances in
which the Muslim lands are far apart, and it is hard to unite the believers
under one leader. Under these exceptional circumstances, they have stated
the permissibility of there being more than one leader over the Muslims. But
it is still obligatory upon the Muslims to continually strive to have one
leader. This is what is ideal.
As for the Islamic State of Iraq, we supported it before and still do so. We
see that it should remain in place, but in regards to their principles and
foundations. As for their name, it may be changed if there is no huge
Islamic disadvantage to this. We do not pay much importance to names. It may
change its name, but this is to be decided by the brothers in Iraq. They are
the ones who are to decide this.
As for the objections and criticism raised against the Islamic State of
Iraq, much of it comes from their rivals who are not truthful. They claim
things about the Islamic State of Iraq which have no truth. There may be
some mistakes made in the process of fighting Jihad, but this is something
which is quite normal. Even during the time of the Prophet (r), some Sahabah
made mistakes, those such as Khalid b. Walid (y) and Usama b. Zaid. So
mistake occur, but this is not their usual doings nor their methodology. We
believe the Islamic State of Iraq to be upon the correct methodology and
beliefs, Allah willing.
Ahmed Zaidan: Do you have any ideas to unite the various fighting groups in
Iraq, including the Islamic State of Iraq and others, or do you wish that
all fighting groups unite under the banner of the Islamic State of Iraq?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: As before, we as well as the call of our leaders and
scholars, as well as that of Sheikh Usama, may Allah protect him, are clear
about this. They explained to them that this is an Islamic obligation, that
all groups should unite into one. We see that since the Islamic State of
Iraq has already been established and that many of the Jihadi groups have
already joined it, it is more deserving that other groups present today
unite under it. However, if its name places major obstacles to this, we
think that it is possible to change the name so that all the Mujahidoon in
Iraq unite.
Ahmed Zaidan: Yes. Let’s move onto to Somalia and the Mujahidoon Youth
Movement. What is the nature of your relationship with them? Do you regard
them to be a part of Al-Qaedah in Somalia?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: As for our brothers, the Mujahidoon Youth Movement in
Somalia, they are our brothers and loved ones. We are allies and support
each other. We have the same ideology and methodology, by the Grace of
Allah. As you know, we had a role in the Jihad in Somalia. There were
brothers who took part in the Jihad in Somalia, and a group of them stayed
there, helping them and training them, until many of them became from the
cadre. We have been there for fifteen years. Some of them were even
commanders of Al-Qaedah, such as our brother Abu Talhah Al-Sudani, may Allah
have mercy on him, who died a year or more ago in the last aggression
against the Islamic Courts. He was from the brothers who stayed there and
trained many of the youth in Somalia. So our relationship with them is one
of alliance, defense, and love. Even though they are not a branch of
Al-Qaedah, our alliance of faith and belief is more than organizational
alliance.
So we support them and aid them, as we do with all other truthful Mujahidoon
in Somalia. We love them, ally with them, and aid them.
Ahmed Zaidan: Some believe that Al-Qaedah only praise their own fighters and Mujahidoon, and that they do not praise any other Jihadi movements. Also,
they believe that Al-Qaedah order the killing of anyone who leaves their
organization, as is the case and what we hear about Iraq. How do you refute
this?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: This is a clear and exposed lie. Anyone who has even a
bit of justice and sees our media releases and statements will find that we
praise all the Mujahidoon. All praise is due to Allah, we praised the
Mujahidoon in Chechnya, Somalia, Palestine, and Lebanon. So this is not
true, rather it is a blatant and exposed lie. If this person is specifically
referring to the Mujahidoon in Palestine, we say as we have said before,
that we support all the truthful Mujahidoon in Palestine, even the
Mujahidoon of Hamas. We aid them and support them with what we can. They are
our brothers and we have the same ideology and methodology. So it is not
true that we only praise ourselves.
As for the other issue.. what was it?
Ahmed Zaidan: The second part was that those who leave the organization are
ordered to be killed.
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: This is also a lie. This is not true at all. We regard
ourselves to be an group from the groups of Jihad. We are not a Caliphate
group which claim that those who leave us leave fold of Islam. We are a Jihadi group, a part of the Islamic Ummah. We do not regard those who leave
us to leave the fold of Islam, nor that they should be killed as they claim.
This is a false claim and a lie. Let them come with some proof that we
killed some people who left us. We do believe that one who leaves us without
any Islamic reason has committed a sin, because we have taken an oath from
him that he stay with us and continue Jihad with us. If he leaves without
any Islamic reason, he is sinning by doing this, but it is a sin which we
hope Allah will forgive and show mercy to him. But we never say that he is
outside the fold of Islam or kill him.
Ahmed Zaidan: You mentioned that you support the Mujahidoon in Lebanon. Who
did you mean? Did you mean Hezbollah? What is the nature of your
relationship with Hezbollah?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: We do not regard Hezbollah to be an Islamic party. It
is a Rafidite party as you know, their alliance is to Iran… in totality. We
do not have any ties with them. What I meant was the Mujahidoon from
Ahl-Al-Sunnah, such as the Lebanese Fath Al-Islam. They are the ones who we
know to be good, and others of their likes.
Ahmed Zaidan: What is the truth about the claim that Al-Qaedah has a
presence in Iran, that some of the leadership is in Iran, and that there are
some routes between Iran and Al-Qaedah in Iraq, and also, like it has been
said lately, that Al-Qaedah has some smuggling routes between Syria and
Iraq, and these are the reasons Al-Qaedah remains silent about the
governments of Syria and Iran.
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: These are from the lies which people claim about
Al-Qaedah. As for Iran, we believe it to be a state of hypocrisy and
disunity. This is a country which shows itself to be Islamic and claims
itself to follow Islam, but in reality it wages war against the Muslims.
They wage war against Ahl-Al-Sunnah, whether it be in Iran, and there are
many proofs of this, or Iraq through the militias which it supports with all
it can. They are the ones who committed the horrible massacres against the
Muslims of Ahl Al-Sunnah in Iraq, and they are the ones who supported
America and helped them to enter Afghanistan and Iraq, and they are proud of
this. They are also the ones who have imprisoned and continue to imprison
the Mujahidoon who left Afghanistan, even their families and children. To
this day, there are many Mujahidoon in the captivity of Iran. From them is
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Islambuli (Istanbuli). He is still in their captivity. We
have also received specific and confirmed reports that his wife died in her
cell in Iran because they were neglectful of her medical needs. Some
children have also died for the same reason. Moreover, the matter has
reached the extent that they torture and degrade the Mujahidoon, even
Muhammad Al-Islambuli. They boast about Khalid Al-Islambuli and even named a
street after him in Tehran, but this is how they treat his brother, Muhammad
Al-Islambuli, we ask Allah to relieve his distress, and bring him back to us
healthy and advantageous as a Mujahid in Allah’s Cause (U).
So we have no ties with them whatsoever. We do not accept them at all.
Rather, we are enemies to each other due to their treatment of Ahl Al-Sunnah.
We do not have any agreements or shared interests with them. The fact that
we do not carry out operations against them is not due to these reasons, but
only because we are waiting for the appropriate circumstances and time,
Allah willing.
Ahmed Zaidan: A few days ago, there were some statements released by
Al-Qaedah in Yemen that they aid the secession of the South. Have you read
these statements, and what is your stance about them?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: I have not heard this recent news, but I think that
the brothers do not support this. This is what I think. Ideally, the whole
Islamic Ummah and all countries in the Islamic world should unite. The more
they unite, the more this is advantageous to Islam and the Muslims. We do
not support the secession, even though this is not of much importance to us,
for the current situation is as it is. But in the end, Islamic rule will
come, and it will rule one nation, and it will not be divided.
Ahmed Zaidan: Yes. Let’s move on to the state of Al-Qaedah in the Arabian
Peninsula, in Saudi Arabia and its surrounding areas. Do we see a huge
setback for the organization, or do you see it progressing? What is your
strategy in regards to the Arabian Peninsula, in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: Of course, Saudi Arabia has a great status in the
hearts of all Muslims. When we announced Jihad in Saudi Arabia, our target
was the Americans, and Sheikh Usama, may Allah protect him, specifically set
this target in his statement to the Muslims in the Land of Haramain (the two
sanctuaries): the Crusader Ameericans and the oil which they themselves
steal and utilize to strike the Muslims and Mujahidoon in Palestine, Iraq
and Afghanistan. This was our plan and Jihad in the Arabian Peninsula. There
has been a slowdown of operations there for many reasons, I cannot mention
them all now, but all praise is due to Allah, lately efforts have been
joined, and they have united under the leadership of one person, our brother
Abu Baseer, Nasir Al-Wuhaishi.
Ahmed Zaidan: Do you think it is possible for Al-Qaedah to negotiate with
the USA to end the war?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: And why not? If they agree to what is necessary for
this, we do not have a problem with this. We are a part of the Islamic
nation, and the Islamic nation is the nation of the last message which has
been sent for all humanity. This final message includes security, happiness,
peace and comfort for all humanity, not only for Muslims. This is what was
meant in the saying of the companion Rib’i b. Amir (y), when Rustum, the
leader of Persia, asked him, “What has brought you here?” He replied with
all honor, “Allah sent us to take out who He pleases from the worship of the
creation to the worship of Allah, from the constrictiveness of this world to
its expanse, and from the tyranny of false religions to the justice of
Islam.” We are a people with a message, people with the last religion with
which Allah finalized all the previous messages to the world. Allah (U)
said:
﴿اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الإسلام دينا﴾
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you,
and have chosen for you Islam as a religion.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah:3)
Our religion came for all humanity and to rule over all humanity, for all
people are slaves of Allah (U), and this earth is Allah’s (I). Thus, it is
obligatory that all people come under the rule of Allah (U) and His laws.
So if America agrees to our conditions, which are to leave the Muslims
countries, to stop their support for the brutal Jewish occupiers in
Palestine, to stop their support for the apostate regimes which have usurped
power in the Muslims countries, and to stop all aggression against Muslims
and free the Muslims in their captivity, at that point, the war will stop.
However, it will not be an eternal ceasefire, but rather for like ten years
let’s say. At that point we will call them to accept Islam. If they accept
Islam, our war will cease forever. If they do not accept, then we will try
to establish an Islamic State and Caliphate, and then call them again to
accept Islam. If they accept, then all praise is for Allah. If they do not,
we will give them the option to live under Islamic law and pay the Jizyah.
If they accept this, then also the war will cease at this point, and this is
not too great of a feat for Allah. If they do not agree to any of these
things, then we will fight them. This is the strategy of Islam to bring
about peace with America and others. However, we do not think that they will
agree to this, so for this reason, it is obligatory upon the Muslim Ummah to
take this path, the path of preparation of strength and Jihad in the Cause
of Allah (U).
Ahmed Zaidan: Returning to the issue of Somalia, do you have any ties with
the pirates there? What do you think of the piracy which is occurring in
Somalia?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: As for the operations carried out now in Somalia by
the pirates, we have no connection to it. However, we do believe that if
these operations were carried out against warring (harbi) infidels,
according to the guidelines of Islam, and the wealth gained from it was used
for the obedience of Allah (U) and bringing supremacy to the religion of
Allah, not only would these operations be legitimate, but they should be
carried out.
Ahmed Zaidan: Yes. The last question I have is where is Usama bin Laden and
Al-Zawahiri? How do you communicate with them? And how do you communicate
with Mulla Umar?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: All praise is due to Allah, Sheikh Usama and Sheikh
Ayman Al-Zawahiri, may Allah protect them, are safe from the enemies, by the
Grace of Allah (I). But of course, we cannot say where they are. As a matter
of fact, we do not know where they are. However, we do continually
communicate with each other, and they are aware of all the events of Jihad,
whether it be in Afghanistan or in the other branches of Jihadi work under
our command. There are also aware of all other battlefields of Jihad and the
state of the Muslims by the Grace of Allah. The meetings which they have
with As-Sahab prove this well. We have complete communication with them. We
also communicate with Mulla Muhammad Umar and we meet with our brothers from
the Islamic Emirate. They always convey to us the messages and advices which
come from the Leader of the Believers for us.
In conclusion, we call the Muslim Ummah to not forget Afghanistan, and we
ask of the Muslim Ummah to increase their financial and moral support of
their brother Mujahidoon in Afghanistan. This is a matter which pertains to
the Ummah as a whole, and Jihad is an individual obligation (fard ain) upon
the entire Ummah, so they must support the Jihad in Afghanistan.
Ahmed Zaidan: Since you mentioned support for Jihad, in your view, Al-Qaedah
requires much money to carry out their activities. Under these financial
sanctions and the account freezing occurring in European, Arab and Islamic
nations, how is Al-Qaedah able to support itself?
Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid: We believe in what the Prophet (r) said: “My
sustenance has been made for me underneath the shade of my spear.” The more
we fight Jihad, the more the doors of sustenance open for us from places we
never imagined. Enough money reaches, by the Grace of Allah, us for us to
get by, but we do need more to inflict more harm on the enemies of Allah
(U). But all praise is due to Allah, money does reach us from various ways.
The Muslims love Al-Qaedah and love to fight Jihad with it, whether
financially or physically. We are getting by, but we hope more from the
Muslim Ummah.
Ahmed Zaidan: In conclusion dear viewers, we thank Mr. Mustafa Abul-Yazid,
the Commander of Al-Qaedah in Afghanistan. Thank you.
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