Osama Bin Laden was one of the world’s most notorious terrorists and was known for being the man behind the September 11th terrorist attacks. It was the worst terrorist attack that the United States has ever witnessed and it changed our world as we know it.
On May 2, 2011 Bin Laden was killed by the United States military, known as SEAL Team Six. It was a long term effort, but the USA eventually got him and ended his reign of terror.
Alia Ghanem was Bin Laden’s mother and she lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with her family. She recently said in an interview with The Guardian that he was ‘a very good kid’ and was influenced while at university while in his 20’s.
Ghanem is in her 70s and has spoken about this until now. She said in the interview:
“He was a very good child until he met some people who pretty much brainwashed him in his early 20s. You can call it a cult. They got money for their cause. I would always tell him to stay away from them, and he would never admit to me what he was doing, because he loved me so much.”
Along with Alia Ghanem, Hassan Ghanem was in the room with The Guardian. Hassan is Bin Laden’s younger brother. He mentioned that it’s bittersweet to think of his brother.
He said:
“I am very proud of him in the sense that he was my oldest brother. He taught me a lot. But I don’t think I’m very proud of him as a man. He reached superstardom on a global stage, and it was all for nothing.”
They concluded with a sentiment that they weren’t sure what the future held for their family. Hamza bin Laden who is Osama’s son has apparently followed in his father’s footsteps. He wants to “avenge” his father’s death, which is never a good thing (I know this from Disney movies only).
Hassan said that if Hamza was in front of him, he would say:
“God guide you. Think twice about what you are doing. Don’t retake the steps of your father. You are entering horrible parts of your soul.”
Lets hope that Hamza is able to listen to his uncle someday, because that’s the last thing the world needs, a second Osama Bin Laden.
