Omar Abdel-Rahman, Egyptian terrorist

Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman (Arabic: عمر عبد الرحمن, transcribed as ʾUmar ʾAbd ar-Raḥmān), widely recognized in the United States as "The Blind Sheikh," was a profoundly influential, yet deeply controversial, Egyptian Islamist cleric and militant leader. Born on May 3, 1938, and passing away on February 18, 2017, his life was marked by his theological interpretations, his leadership of a designated terrorist organization, and ultimately, his conviction and imprisonment in the United States for seditious conspiracy.

Abdel-Rahman's blindness, which afflicted him from childhood, did not deter his intense pursuit of Islamic scholarship. He emerged as a significant figure within the broader Salafist-jihadi movement, developing a reputation for issuing fatwas (religious edicts) that, at times, endorsed violence against governments and perceived enemies of Islam. His teachings attracted a dedicated following, particularly among those disillusioned with secular governance in the Middle East.

Arrival in the United States and Controversial Activities

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Sheikh Abdel-Rahman resided in New York City. This period proved pivotal, as he became a prominent spiritual figurehead for a network of militant Islamists operating within the United States. His impassioned sermons, often delivered in mosques and community centers across the New York metropolitan area, were widely reported to have inspired radical elements. These teachings subsequently became a central focus of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, especially after a series of terror plots began to come to light.

The 1993 World Trade Center Bombing and Subsequent Conviction

The extensive investigations that followed the devastating 1993 World Trade Center bombing, an attack that tragically killed six people and injured over a thousand, quickly established connections to individuals influenced by Abdel-Rahman's inner circle. While he was not directly charged with planting the bomb, his alleged role in inspiring and directing subsequent terror plots led to his arrest and a highly publicized trial. In 1995, Sheikh Abdel-Rahman and nine co-defendants were convicted of seditious conspiracy – a grave federal charge involving plots to overthrow, put down, or destroy by force the government of the United States, or to levy war against it. They were also found guilty of other related charges, including plotting to bomb various New York City landmarks and assassinate prominent political figures. Consequently, Abdel-Rahman was sentenced to a life term in federal prison.

Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya: The Islamic Group

Beyond his activities in the United States, Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman was widely acknowledged as the spiritual leader of Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya, commonly referred to as "The Islamic Group." This was a prominent Egyptian Sunni Islamist movement committed to overthrowing the secular Egyptian government and establishing an Islamic state. Due to its long and violent history of armed insurgency and numerous acts of violence targeting government officials, Coptic Christians, and foreign tourists, Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya is officially designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and Egyptian governments.

Among the many violent acts attributed to The Islamic Group, the November 1997 Luxor massacre stands out as one of the most brutal and internationally condemned. In this horrific attack, carried out at the Hatshepsut Temple in Luxor, Egypt, 58 foreign tourists and four Egyptians were killed. The massacre inflicted severe damage on Egypt's vital tourism industry and starkly underscored the extreme violence that Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya was prepared to employ in pursuit of its political and religious objectives.

Imprisonment and Demise

Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman served his life sentence at the Federal Medical Center, Butner, a specialized correctional facility near Butner, North Carolina, designed to provide care for inmates with significant health issues. Despite numerous appeals from his legal team and international calls for his release, particularly from his ardent supporters, he remained incarcerated until his death from natural causes on February 18, 2017, at the age of 78.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman?

He was an Egyptian Islamist cleric and militant leader, widely known as "The Blind Sheikh." He was convicted in the United States for seditious conspiracy linked to terror plots in the 1990s and was also the spiritual leader of the Egyptian militant group Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya.

Why was he called "The Blind Sheikh"?

The moniker "The Blind Sheikh" was commonly used in the United States to refer to him due to his lifelong visual impairment, which he had suffered since childhood.

What was his connection to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing?

Although not directly charged with carrying out the bombing, his prosecution for seditious conspiracy and other terror-related charges originated from the extensive investigations that followed the 1993 attack. Prosecutors argued that his sermons and directives inspired or guided those who carried out the bombing and subsequent plots.

What was Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya?

Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya, or "The Islamic Group," was a militant Islamist organization in Egypt led by Abdel-Rahman. Its primary goal was to overthrow the Egyptian government and establish an Islamic state, and it is officially designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and Egyptian governments.

What was the Luxor massacre?

The Luxor massacre was a horrific terrorist attack orchestrated by Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya in November 1997 at the Hatshepsut Temple in Luxor, Egypt. The attack resulted in the deaths of 58 foreign tourists and four Egyptians, drawing widespread international condemnation.

Where was Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman imprisoned?

He served his life sentence at the Federal Medical Center, Butner, near Butner, North Carolina, a facility equipped to handle inmates with significant medical conditions.