The Road to Al-Qaeda is a controversial book. Written by an Egyptian human rights lawyer, it is the first English-language account of the development of tensions between violent and non-violent factions in radical Islamist movements, from the perspective of an insider. It is also a biography of one of the world's most-wanted terrorists: Egyptian-born Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri. Widely recognized as the man who will take over the leadership of Al-Qaeda after Osama bin Laden, he is also the reputed architect of the Riyadh bombings in Saudi Arabia.The original version of this book sold widely across the Arabic world. Reproduced in translation here, with an extensive introduction from distinguished scholar Ibrahim Abu Rabi, it stands alone as an unrivalled account of the divisions within militant Islamist ideology. The author provides insight into the internal politics of Islamic Jihad, and the radicalisation of bin Laden's deputy; he examines Zawahiri's opposition to efforts by other militant Islamists to call a ceasefire with the Egyptian authorities; and he narrates the redirection of Zawahiri's activities towards the US and Israel.As an insight into one of the key minds behind Al-Qaeda this book makes unparalleled and disturbing reading. It is an important document for anyone who seeks to understand how a minority extremist ideology came to have such an impact on world events.-- Biography of the leading mind behind Al-Qaeda and one of the world's most-wanted terrorists-- Written by an Islamist, it provides a unique insight into radical Islam from an insider's viewpoint-- Extensive introduction from leading Islamic scholar sets explains the context and background to the book-- First English-language account of an Arabic bestseller-- Ideal for anyone who wants a non-Western perspective on the internal debates of Islamic activism

Montasser al-Zayyat joined the Islamic movement in Egypt in 1974. He was arrested in the Jihad Case following the assassination of former President Anwar al-Sadat in 1982. After the trial, his activities as an Islamist shifted to defending Islamists in Egyptian courts. He adopted and promoted the peaceful approach to effecting change in Egypt, through reconciliation between Islamists and the Egyptian authorities.Ahmed Fekry (the original translator) is a journalist on the Middle East Times and a graduate student at the American University in Cairo (AUC).

Preface by Ahmed Fekry and Sara Nimis

Introduction by Ibrahim Abu-Rabi

Notes on the English language edition by Ahmed Fekry and Sara Nimis

1. The Aristocrat as Fundamentalist

2. Aftermath of Sadat's Assassination

3. Afghanistan: Land of Jihad

4. Changes in Zawahiri's Ideology

5. The Ceasefire Initiative of the Gama'a Al-Islamiyya

6. Islamists Pay for the Zawahiri's Mistakes

7. Executing a Boy and Killing a Prominent Group Leader

8. The Struggle Continues

Notes

Index