22. Al Qaeda’s Modern Forerunner
Egyptian Islamic Jihad was founded a decade before Al Qaeda. In many ways, Islamic Jihad inspired the more famous terrorist organization, furnishing it with both a theological basis for its ideology, as well as providing it with key staffers. Indeed, Ayman al Zawahiri, Osama Bin Laden’s deputy and second in command – and successor after 2011 – got his start as a terrorist in Islamic Jihad.
The group was founded in the late 1970s, and within a short time catapulted itself to international fame with a stunning assassination that was filmed and aired live on TV. Its target: Egyptian president Anwar Sadat was killed during the country’s October 6th national celebration.