Growing Up Bin Laden - Jean P. Sasson [176]
After Osama bin Laden released various audiotapes and videotapes, some taking responsibility for 9/11 and other violent acts, Omar finally admitted that it appeared his father had indeed ordered the attacks. Omar seemed understandably shell-shocked by some of his father’s recordings. As much as he had wanted to believe the best of his father, he could no longer cling to the hope that his father was not guilty.
After learning many details about Osama bin Laden, his family, and the al-Qaeda commanders and soldiers who were an ever-increasing presence as Omar was growing up, my heart told me that this was an important story that should be told. I believe we should demand to know everything about the man behind the death of so many innocents, and it would be impossible to get any closer to the private world of Osama bin Laden than through his first wife and his fourth-born son.
When we look back, it becomes clear that the acts and accomplishments of human beings are the signatures of history. Human signatures have created an enormous chasm between the joyous light of the age of the Renaissance to the dark shadow of September 11, 2001. Those of us living on that fateful day experienced the lower depths of mankind. As an author, avid reader, world traveler, and person of enormous curiosity, my life experiences have taught me that discord often erupts from a lack of knowledge and education. To discourage future dark moments, I believe we must nourish the minds of our young with learning that creates understanding between ethnic and religious groups. Perhaps understanding will lead to a marvelous day when we see the last of the violence that is so harmful to so many. I sincerely believe that nothing will further the cause of peace more than the education of our young. I would like readers to know that a percentage of the profits from the sale of this book will be devoted to the cause of education.
May all roads lead to peace.
—Jean Sasson
A 1964 painting of Osama’s father, Mohammed bin Laden. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Osama bin Laden, age 16, one year before he married his cousin, Najwa. Jeddah, 1973. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Left: Osama in Afghanistan fighting the Russians, 1984. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Right: Omar, age 3, in Jeddah, 1984. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Osama bin Laden wearing military garb during his period of fighting the Russians. Photo taken at a farm in Jeddah, 1985. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Above: Omar bin Laden, age 6, the year the family moved to Medina and Omar started school. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Right: Sa’ad, Osman, and Mohammed in Osama’s study at family home in Jeddah, 1990. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Fatima, Sa’ad, Omar, (holding ball with Abdullah), Mohammed (yellow shirt), Osman, and Abdul Rahman in bin Laden family sitting room in Jeddah, 1989. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Omar and his baby sister, Fatima, at family home in Jeddah, 1990. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
From left to right: Omar, Fatima, and Sa’ad in Jeddah family home, 1990. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Abdullah bin Laden in Sudan working on his father’s heavy equipment, 1993. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Abdullah bin Laden on the Nile in Khartoum, 1993. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Omar in his bedroom in Khartoum, 1993. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
Happy days for Omar in Khartoum. (Courtesy of Omar bin Laden Family Photo Collection)
A small Afghan village Omar passed through on his way from Jalalabad to Tora Bora.