Al-Qaeda is a transnational religious terrorist group whose ideology lies in Islamic teachings and beliefs. Al Qaeda is one of the biggest ideological radical movements for modern Sunni Muslims organised by Osama bin Laden who was killed in May 2011. Many adherents and groups have emerged from this internationalist ideology based on anti-western, anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic principles and this view is growing and getting more followers worldwide (Burke, 2004). The structure and origins of al-Qaeda is rooted in Osama bin Laden’s ideology and his establishment of the terrorist network, which has since been destroyed. There is no exact centre of Islamic militancy however the message and worldview of al-Qaeda is spreading and becoming an international jihad (Burke, 2004). More and more people are joining this view and there is an increase of Islamic radicalism and militancy all around the world such as the growth of the IS group which has links to al-Qaeda. Bin Laden states in 1998 that the community and Islamic nation was failing in the war against infidels such as Zionists and Americans, jihad had to become the duty of all Muslims capable in the fight (Sedgwick, 2004).
In September 2001, Al-Qaeda conducted the biggest attack in the US on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, which led to the US invading Afghanistan in an attempt to dismantle Al-Qaeda (Hayes, Brunner and Rowen, 2007). Al-Qaeda relies on many forms of terrorism and violence such as 9/11 to insight fear and ensures their message is received. Suicide attacks are used frequently as the organisation focuses on both supporting Islamic rebellions and increasing a worldwide spread and uprising in attacking American and other western targets through any means possible (CRS Report for Congress, 2003). Suicide attacks also emphasise a key Islamic concept of martyrdom, which is well established in Islam as a religious honour. Within al-Qaeda, Sunni Muslims believe that a martyr who...