| a radical Sunni Muslim organization dedicated to the elimination of a Western presence in Arab countries and militantly opposed to Western foreign policy: founded by Osama bin Laden in 1988. |
| Main Entry: | al Qaeda |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | an Islamic terrorist organization started in 1988 by Osama bin Laden to resist Soviet forces in Afghanistan and which seeks to purge Muslim countries of Western influence and establish fundamentalist Islamic rule; also written Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaida, al-Qaeda, al-Qa'ida, al-Quaida, al-Qa'idah |
| Etymology: | politics |
An Islamic terrorist network headed by Osama bin Laden. It is generally believed to have been responsible for the September 11 attacks.
