Osama Bin Landen, an Islamic fundamentalist, the man who US intelligence officials said was to be the prime suspect behind the September 11 hijacking attacks. Bin Laden’s anger with the United States stems form the 1990 decision by Saudi Arabia (his home country) ignoring his proposal of providing an army of Mujahideen to defend the kingdom, and allowing the US to use there territory to stage several attacks upon Iraqi Forces in Kuwait. After the US victory, the US military presence became permanent. Bin Laden saw this as an “Occupation of the land of the holy places” and a historical betrayal. It was after this Bin Laden became an opponent of the Saudi regime and began to direct his efforts against the US and its allies. Furthermore, through US influence, he was stripped of his citizenship, due to anti-government activities. Therefore it is clear why the US was targeted, because Bin Laden is the leader of Al Quieda and therefore has much influence, and sway, over the extreme actions that Al Quieda under take.
Al Quieda’s decision to target the World Trade Centre was crucial because being one of the America’s and possibly one of the world’s monuments, the World Trade Centre if attacked would achieve worldwide media coverage. The media showed the true extent of the damage, shocking the whole world and emphasising the true threat that terrorism is, and that Al Quieda should never be underestimated or swept aside. Also there were several interviews and statements following the attack stating Osama Bin Laden’s and Al Quieda’s opinions and views, which due to the significant of the situation would not be ignored. It was through a video statement from Bin laden, that another reason for the attacks was revealed: “the vast majority of the sons of the Islamic world were happy about these strikes because they believe that the strikes were in reaction to the huge criminality practised by Israel and the United States in Palestine and other Muslim countries.”
The .Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most influential political and religious forces in the Islamic world, and especially so in the Arab world.It often operates important networks of Islamic charities, guaranteeing it a support base among Muslim poor. Contrary to popular belief in the West, the Muslim Brotherhood normally pursues its goals peacefully, and advocates participation in democratic systems, as well as democratic reform in dictatorships. However, it makes an exception for situations of military occupation, and its Palestinian branch, Hamas, pursues a violent struggle against Israel and the US, in which it has frequently used bombs and other methods that specifically target civilians; something which has resulted in Hamas being labeled a terrorist movement by goverments including the USA and the EU. The Brotherhood therefore were able to surrport Osama Bin Laden’s plans, and then of coaurse gaining Bin Laden even more surrport from all the Muslim Brotherhood’s followers. Which is potentially the reason why the “vast majority of the sons of the Islamic world” were in the favour of the attack.
In conclusion I think that the key reaons for the World Trade Centre being terageted were due to; Osama Bin Ladens personal grudge against the US, the Muslim Brotherhood’s exeption to violence in the Hamas, and the large amount of media that would be gained form such destruction to such a mighty monument.
