Why Did The Imam Befriend Hijackers?

A troubling charge in Congress's joint 9/11 inquiry last month was that the FBI failed to investigate adequately Anwar al-Aulaqi, an American Muslim cleric who ministered to several of the hijackers. The FBI concluded al-Aulaqi was merely a spiritual adviser eager to assist followers, and an FBI official says, "I've heard no [further] interest [at the FBI ] in this guy." But the report quotes an FBI dissenter as saying, "There's a lot of smoke" surrounding his contacts with the hijackers. U.S. officials reportedly want further investigation.

Born in New Mexico to Yemeni parents, al-Aulaqi studied engineering at Colorado State University....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!