8/23/1996

“From his new refuge in Afghanistan bin Laden issued a slew of ever more radical pronouncements, beginning with ‘The Declaration of Jihad on the Americans Occupying the Country of the Two Sacred Places‘ on August 23, 1996. …’The latest of these assaults is the greatest disaster since the death of the Prophet Muhammad…that is the occupation of the country of the two sacred mosques–the home ground of Islam.’ Bin Laden explains that this contravenes…the Prophet Muhammad, who said on his deathbed: ‘If Allah wills and I live, God willing I will expel the Jews and the Christians from Arabia.’ Bin Laden concludes the declaration with a call to arms: ‘Our Muslim brothers throughout the world…Your brothers in the country of the two sacred places and in Palestine request your support. They are asking you to participate with them against their enemies, who are also your enemies–the Israelis and the Americans–by causing them as much harm as can be possibly achieved.’ ”

 – Peter Bergen, Holy War, Inc., Pages 96-97