Al-Qaida Leader Calls bin Laden 'Tender' (VIDEO)
New leader of al-Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has released a new video about his memories of Osama bin Laden, the former head of the infamous terrorist network.
In the new video that surfaced from the group dubbed, Days with the Imam: Part One, the Egyptian born Zawahiri describes his encounters and the humility of the terrorist network’s founder in an attempt “to show the human side” of bin Laden’s life.
Zawahiri described bin Laden as “tender” and “kind.”
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“Sheikh Osama would feel great sadness if he felt that his brothers on the path of jihad had been oppressed or had not reached their rightful goal,” said Zawahiri.
Zawahiri also said the former leader was “humble and noble.” Bin Ladin was responsible for orchestrating numerous terrorist attacks around the world, including Sept. 11, the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
“People don’t know that this man was gentle, patient and nice, with soft feelings and intense shyness,” he said.
According to Zawahiri, bin Laden was a devoted father that made great strides to ensure his children were offered a “noble” education.
Analysts hold that the video has surfaced in part for Zawahiri to gain popularity among al-Qaida followers.
Many argue that Zawahiri lacks the charisma that bin Laden had, which proved to be beneficial in attracting new members into the group.
Zawahiri, who was bin Laden’s longtime deputy, became the head of al-Qaida in June following bin Laden’s death in Pakistan during a May raid.
Bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs in a suburb in Pakistan. Prior to his death, bin Laden spent a decade of his life on the run as America’s most-wanted terrorist.
With bin Laden gone, the U.S. government has offered a $25 million award on Zawahiri’s head.
To watch a clip of Zawahiri speaking about bin Laden please view below.
