Combating Terrorism Center: About the Center

“The Power of Truth?”

On 16 December 2007, Ayman al-Zawahiri invited journalists and Jihadist enthusiasts to ask him questions via the primary Jihadist web forums. Zawahiri promised to personally answer some of those questions in a subsequent statement. On 2 April 2008, As-Sahab Media released the first part of Zawahiri’s response in the form of a one hour, forty-three minute audio statement, which was accompanied by Arabic and English transcripts.

Zawahiri used the opportunity to publicly address topics that have been dogging him for years. He answered some questions directly, like whether al-Qaidas willingness to kill innocent Muslims in the course of their operations is apostasy. He sidestepped other questions, including more politicized ones about al-Qaida’s increasing difficulties in Iraq and, in particular, al-Qaida’s official position toward Iran.

“The Power of Truth?” is the CTC’s assessment of Ayman al-Zawahiri’s 2 April 2008 response to his solicitiation for questions.