“As recently as late [November 15] 2006, West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center published a study declaring, ‘Osama bin Laden may be the leading symbol of global Islamist militancy but the al-Qaeda leader wields less influence over Islamist theology than more obscure religious thinkers.’ The consensus argument holds that bin Laden cannot speak authoritatively about Islam and its duties and therefore that Muslims will not listen to or follow his guidance.”
– Michael Scheuer, Osama Bin Laden, Page 164