Osama bin Laden was interviewed in Afghanistan by Palestinian journalist Jamal Ismail on December 22, 1998. He said: ” ‘Our duty is to ask every Muslim to participate in this jihad [holy war]. I am not afraid of death. I came here to die. Some of my supporters followed me here just to die for the cause of Islam. They are ready to defend me and to kill anyone who thinks of attacking our positions or sites.’ ”
– “I Am Not Afraid of Death,” Newsweek, Jan. 10, 1999