Takbeer: How far are these reports true that you are moving from Afghanistan to another country?

Usama: I consider Afghanistan my own country. Muslims living here are all my brothers and are dear to me. They have been entertaining me for years.

I don't want to put my brothers in any further trouble and endanger their lives and their property just for my own life. That is why I thought of moving to some other place.

Takbeer: Which country?

Usama: Leave this for the time being. It is enough to say that the enthusiasm for jihad is spreading in the Muslim world like an electric current. Islam has once again broken all idols, eliminated distances, and joined hearts. Islam is the power that gives us the same color from Kabul to Morocco. In the Muslim world, thousands of Usamas have been born, and it is immaterial where one is born or lives.

Takbeer: The United States has put your name on their list of ten most wanted accused. What do you say to that?

Usama: To us the accused are persons who violate God's order, leave the path of the Prophet (PBUH), and breach religious prohibitions. Countries like the United States determine right and wrong on the basis of their interests. If it is in their interest to arrest General Noriega, they forget years of his faithfulness. If they have to leave the Shah of Iran, they forget years of friendship. They remain silent on the death of the US ambassador killed with General Ziaul Haq and fired missiles at a pharmaceutical company in Sudan. Laws are not made by man, but made by God. As far as putting my name on the list of ten most wanted accused is concerned, I can only say that we should not be afraid of US clutches but of the clutches of God. The United States is mortal and God is immortal.

If we recognize the difference between mortal and immortal, it will not be difficult to succeed in the world hereafter.

Takbeer: The United States has targeted the Muslim world. Why don't you give a call for holy war?

Usama: Our religion has taught us a way for everything. Transgressing that way would be abandoning the path of religion. I am a humble and weak Muslim. My job is not to lead but to follow. Giving the call for a holy war is not my responsibility but it is the responsibility of the real leaders of the Muslim nation, the religious leaders, and they understand their responsibility well, when and what they have to do. As far as Islam and the Muslim world is concerned, it is correct that we need Islam; Islam does not need us.

The United States cannot harm us at all unless our God wants it so. Not only the United States, but also all powers of the universe together cannot even lift a straw if God's will is not included in it.

Takbeer: It has been said that the United States is preparing to attack Afghanistan. Reports have also been published that it has sent commandos to arrest you.

Usama: An attack on Afghanistan would cost the United States a lot. The attack would be considered an attack on the Muslim world. We hope that the United States will not take this step, whose consequences it will have to bear for a long time. As far as commandos are concerned, I don't have any authentic information on it. I can only say that we are indebted to God for our lives. No one other than God can add or subtract a single moment from our life. To us, the life hereafter is really important, not this life.

Takbeer: Is there any message you would like to convey to young Muslim men who love you?

Usama: They should devote their life to the religion and should opt for jihad. There are a lot of ways to earn this world, but there is only one way to earn the life hereafter. Follow that way, and the world will fall in your lap.

(Description of source: Takbeer — weekly advocating Islamic society, provides good coverage of Afghanistan and Kashmir)