Overview of Omar Abdel Rahman
Omar Abdel Rahman (b. 1938 - d. 2017), also known as “The Blind Sheikh,” was a prominent Egyptian religious scholar and the spiritual leader of the Islamist militant group, al-Jamaah al-Islamiyyah. Abdel Rahman came to global attention due to his radical Islamist positions and his involvement in various militant activities.
Early Life and Education
Omar Abdel Rahman was born in 1938 in Al Gamelia, a small village in Egypt’s Dakahlia Governorate. Despite being blind from a young age, Abdel Rahman pursued religious education vigorously. He memorized the Quran by the age of 11 and later studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, one of the leading centers of Islamic learning globally.
Radicalization and Activities
Abdel Rahman became involved in Egypt’s burgeoning Islamist movement during his education. He was an influential figure within al-Jamaah al-Islamiyyah, an Islamic militant group aiming to overthrow the Egyptian secular state to establish a government based on Sharia (Islamic law).
Notable Incidents:
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Assassination of President Anwar Sadat: Abdel Rahman was accused of having a role in leading the Egyptian Jihad organization that carried out the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1981, owing to Sadat’s peace treaty with Israel.
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Advocacy for Sharia: He consistently encouraged the overthrow of secular governments in order to restore Quranic principles and governance based on Sharia. His fiery sermons and writings gained him a substantial following.
Conviction and Imprisonment
One of the significant events attributable to Abdel Rahman was his inspiration and connection with the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City in 1993. Convicted in 1995, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States for conspiring to execute acts of terrorism against U.S. targets, including the landmark 1993 bombing.
Death
Omar Abdel Rahman died in a U.S. prison on February 18, 2017.
Etymology and Translations
- **Arabic: ** عمر عبد الرحمن
- **Turkish: ** Ömer Abdürrahman
Books for Further Studies
- “The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11” by Lawrence Wright. This book provides context about various Islamist movements, including the role of Omar Abdel Rahman.
- “Islam and the Challenge of Democracy” edited by Khaled Abou El Fadl. Offers insights into Islamic political theories and what figures like Abdel Rahman stand for.
- “Blind Cult” by Youssef Fadel. This book provides detailed accounts surrounding the rise of Abdel Rahman and his implications on Islamic radicalization.
Takeaways
- Omar Abdel Rahman’s legacy demonstrates the powerful influence religious scholarship coupled with militant activism can exert within socio-political contexts.
- His life provides a case study for understanding the impact of radical Islamist ideologies and the significant risks of violence and terrorism associated with such fervent beliefs.
- The importance of formal Islamic education in shaping global socio-political landscapes, both constructively and destructively, is embodied in his trajectory.
Conclusion
Omar Abdel Rahman’s life story is emblematic of a prevalent negotiation between religious ideology and secular governance in the Islamic world. Through his teachings and activities, Abdel Rahman has left a long-lasting impact on Islamist movements and the global landscape of radical political Islam. His role in significant acts of terrorism underscores the potential severe consequences when radical theology finds a militant front.
