Osamabin Muhammad bin 'Awad binLaden (10 March 1957 – 2 May 2011) was the founder and first general emir of al-Qaeda from 1988 until his death in 2011. OsamabinLaden: The Pan-Islamist Idea. For binLaden, Islam was more than just a religion: It shaped his political beliefs and influenced every decision he made. OsamabinLaden—also known as Usama binLaden—was a violent terrorist and mass murderer who used bombings and bloodshed to advance his extremist goals.Osama (or Usama) binLaden, former head of al Qaeda and architect of the 9/11 attacks. OsamabinLaden was the founder of the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda and mastermind of numerous terrorist attacks, including the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. OsamabinLaden: Mastermind of the September 11 Attacks. Quora is a place to gain and share knowledge. It's a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers. This empowers people to learn from each other and to better understand the world. Nearly 17 years since 9/11, OsamabinLaden’s family remains an influential part of Saudi society – as well as a reminder of the darkest moment in the kingdom’s history. Can they escape his legacy?