The Al Qaeda 9/11 instructions: A study in the construction of religious martyrdom

Yuval Neria; David Roe; Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi; Hassan Mneimneh; Alana Balaban; Randall Marshall

doi:10.1016/j.religion.2005.02.001

The Al Qaeda 9/11 instructions: A study in the construction of religious martyrdom

Yuval Neria, David Roe, Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, Hassan Mneimneh, Alana Balaban, Randall Marshall

Department of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

A growing global concern about suicide attacks has led to attempts from various disciplines to understand the psychological profiles of persons willing to commit suicide terrorist attacks. Recent reports have suggested that more powerful explanatory models might be discovered using social psychological concepts, with a shift of focus from the individual to the group within which the individual acts and by which the individual is influenced. This paper attempts to do so by presenting an analysis of the Al Qaeda 'final instructions' document, which sheds light on the way members of this group were mobilised towards conducting one of the most devastating assaults in modern history. We discuss the use of religious doctrine and rhetorical devices as a psychological strategy employed by this group to inspire, control and mobilise its members before and during the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-11
Number of pages	11
Journal	Religion
Volume	35
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.religion.2005.02.001
State	Published - Jan 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

History
Sociology and Political Science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.religion.2005.02.001

Cite this

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abstract = "A growing global concern about suicide attacks has led to attempts from various disciplines to understand the psychological profiles of persons willing to commit suicide terrorist attacks. Recent reports have suggested that more powerful explanatory models might be discovered using social psychological concepts, with a shift of focus from the individual to the group within which the individual acts and by which the individual is influenced. This paper attempts to do so by presenting an analysis of the Al Qaeda 'final instructions' document, which sheds light on the way members of this group were mobilised towards conducting one of the most devastating assaults in modern history. We discuss the use of religious doctrine and rhetorical devices as a psychological strategy employed by this group to inspire, control and mobilise its members before and during the September 11, 2001, attacks.",

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The Al Qaeda 9/11 instructions: A study in the construction of religious martyrdom

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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