The following is the text of an alleged statement by Usama Bin Ladin posted to the Jihadist web site Al-Qal'ah at on 6 May:

Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds, and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

This is a message to the ummah in general and to our Muslim brothers in Iraq in particular,

God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you,

I greet our steadfast people in Iraq, the land of heroes, and I greet the mujahidin in the way of God there. I say to them you are the heroes of the Arabs and the people who are defending Islam. Muslims cannot thank you enough or give you enough credit. A whole year has gone by since the invasion and the invaders could not implement their plans the way they drew them, and this is thanks to God and thanks to your jihad and the jihad of the people who support you. God reward you with the best reward. The enemy was surprised by the strength of the resistance as things went against its wishes. The results that were achieved on the internal and external fronts by this blessed jihad are very big and positive on many levels, God be praised, including the human losses in the ranks of the enemy, and the huge material drainage of its budget. It is still suffering loss after loss. God be praised, he is all-giving. Here I want to stress some important points:

First, there was a dangerous development of great magnitude, which revealed things for what they are for everyone. This was when the occupier Bremer announced that he will not accept that Islam be the source of all legislation, meaning that he will not accept Islam as a religion for Iraq. Hence, the announced constitution came according to his will. This clearly shows on one hand that the Governing Council is but a puppet and a tool in their hands to implement their plans against an unwary people and on the other hand shows the extent of their hidden hatred against Islam. This also shows that the struggle is an ideological and religious struggle and that the clash is a clash of civilizations. They are keen to destroy the Islamic identity in the entire Islamic world. This is their real stand regarding us. As for their stand regarding other peoples, they can cohabit with all earthly ideologies, in the east and the west, because these ideologies can be changed and manipulated so that they can swallow the riches of people, enslave them, and Americanize them as they please. But the real challenge for them is in the Islamic world where the main challenge is an ideological and religious challenge and not primarily an economic or military challenge.

Their intention primarily is to destroy Islam because they are fully convinced that their schemes in their various plans and especially the economic, ideological, military, and security schemes cannot be implemented in our countries if Islam exists and is in power in the region. This is because Muslims are the ones who have the ideology, the will, and the ability to resist their plans, fight their injustice, and fight them back.

Based on the above, and after it has become clear for everyone that the US campaign has nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction or alleviating the suffering of the Iraqi people, but is a blatant occupation in every sense that this word conveys to me, jihad is a must for all Muslims in northern, central, and southern Iraq. Those who follow their religious leaderships, who are involved with the Iraqi interim Governing Council (IGC) and are using them as excuses, do not have any excuse after this council approved the constitution of Bremer the infidel. It is no secret that the use of any source of legislation along with Islam is major polytheism that renders one an infidel. This means that the members of the IGC, when they approved the constitution, have become more infidel than they already are. What is the difference between political leaders like Fahd, Husni, Jabir and Saddam and the rest of the rulers on one hand and the religious leaders in the interim council of polytheism on the other? The biggest reason in declaring our rulers infidels is that they do not rule by the rules of God in all of our affairs, in addition to their alliance with America. They use the pressure it exerts on them as an excuse, and this is the same excuse used by the members of the IGC. Therefore the same verdict applies to them.

The evidence we mentioned in statement 17, indicating that the rulers have forsaken the Ummah and that they do not uphold commitments entailed by saying "There is No God But Allah," also applies to the religious leader in the IGC and any other leadership in any other council in the Islamic world that commits what those leaders have committed. The most significant meaning of saying "There is No God but Allah" is that there is no ruler or legislator but Allah. Legislation is one of the most essential distinctions of divinity. Who ever knowingly approves of this council and its constitution would have forsaken God. A believer is commanded to obey God and his prophet. "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you." "We sent not an apostle, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah. (Koranic verses) He who obeys the prophet obeys God and he who obeys the ruler or a clergyman, regardless of his nationality, in sanctioning what God prohibited and prohibiting what God sanctioned would be an infidel. "What! have they partners (in godhead), who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah." (Koranic verse)

The sincere ones must overcome the infidel leaderships. Since reform and liberation need a prudent leadership and a sound system and since the system (Holy Koran) is infallible, thanks to God, and the leaderships are the way we have described, then the duty becomes that of the best people to follow in rank and so on. If some of the seniors forsake God or sit idle, then those to pursue the duty are the ones who follow in rank, even if they are youth. This is because justice is greater than everybody. In this case, the sincere ones in the ummah, in general, and in Iraq, in particular, must disavow and abandon religious and political infidel leaderships and exclude leaderships not pursing jihad or ones taking the side of the unjust. The sincere ones must also take the initiative, disclose justice, and raise the flag of jihad against the crusaders and infidels. The previously stated entails that whoever supports the infidels against Muslims, like supporting the occupation forces and their offshoots, including an interim or permanent government, would have nullified his Islam, thus sanctioning his money and blood and sanctioning divorcing his wife from him. Furthermore, Jihad becomes the individual duty of Iraqis not only against the crusaders but also against the infidel government and its supporters. Moreover, every Muslim in the Muslim world or outside it must support this jihad with himself or money, seeking the guidance of trusted people who know the country and the people, until there is enough of the needed support.

Second, the so-called transfer of power to Iraqis is an exposed ploy intended to sedate the people and abort the armed resistance. The sincere Iraqi mujahidin have not fallen for it. Iraq will not be sovereign as long as there is a crusader soldier on its land and as long as it does not depend on Islam in running all its affairs.

Third, Bush, Musaylamat al-Asr (reference to Musaylamah who claimed to be a prophet and was fought by the Prophet Muhammad's companions), says that the top front for fighting terrorism is Iraq, which clearly means that the top front for fighting Islam is in Iraq. This necessitates intensifying efforts to rally Muslims to confront this onslaught. I urge youth and honest merchants to seize this chance to carry out a great duty to defend religion and save the ummah by supporting jihad with money and enticing on fighting our enemies especially in Palestine and Iraq.

If the wind is favorable, seize it because all wind subsides. (line of poetry)

It was also said: If you have an opinion, posses will, for hesitation corrupts opinion. (line of poetry)

This is a rare and essentially valuable chance in every sense of the word to mobilize the ummah's potential and unchain it in order to take off to the battlefields in Iraq to cut off the head of world infidelity. The youth must be alert to nomads who seek excuses and delude themselves and their brothers into believing that they are (guarding) a great fortified borderline, when in fact, they stopped guiding the great fortified borderline and have made the country open to crusaders and infidels, and from whose direction Muslims were attacked. It is time for their sincere brothers to break free to rectify their situation. Caution and liberation from the magic of media is also required so that we will not be mere viewers of catastrophes and events, but rather fight the enemy and make events. This is a decisive war, after which we will either rise and have pride or descend and be humiliated.

We are at a crossroads. This is a great issue that is important for the entire ummah. It is obvious that the great trick being promoted by the United States nowadays under the pretext of forcing the so-called reform on the greater Islamic world is a replica of Bremer's plan for Iraq, which provides for excluding religion, plundering wealth, killing men, terrifying people, and transgressing on hurumat (that which is holy, sacred, sacrosanct, inviolable, or taboo; woman, lady, wife), including women in their private rooms or quarters during nighttime. There is no power or strength except through God. Can you not see? Do you not have honor? Do you not have ghayrah (a sense of honor, prestige and anger that is provoked when a person does that which God has made prohibited) for your religion and sisters? Only a short time separates you from experiencing the ordeal that is being experienced in Iraq. Reflect on the issue thoroughly, and do not be like those who prove to be unintelligent on all occasions. Know that defending the lands of Muslims, particularly the lands of the two holy mosques (Saudi Arabia), begins with fighting on the first lines on the lands of Mesopotamia (Iraq). O Muslims: Wake up and see the magnitude of the danger and the fast pace of events and mobilize for the arenas of jihad. The shaykh of Islam (Bin-Taymiyah), may God have mercy on his soul, said that it is the consensus of the ummah that the paramount duty after having faith is to repulse the assaulting enemy. God knows that if I were a student among you, I would shun my studies and mobilize as God has ordained. Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the cause of Allah. That is best for you, if ye (but) knew. (Koranic verse) (Verse No. 41 from the Al-Tawbah, the Repentance Chapter) Were I a merchant, I would shun my trade and join the mujahidin brigades in response to the following words of the Almighty God: O ye who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous Penalty? That ye believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that ye strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah, with your property and your persons: That will be best for you, if ye but knew! (Koranic verses) (Verses 10 and 11 from the Chapter of Al-Saff (The Row).

Were I to talk to you lots of times, I would talk to you about the issue that is of paramount importance; that is, the issue pertaining to (the testimony that) there is no deity except Allah in terms of meaning and acting upon this meaning, and on jihad, the pinnacle of Islam, so that you may mobilize for jihad in God's cause. For the current crisis is not one of knowledge or hadith literature. Thanks to the grace of God, knowledge is widespread. The crisis lies in the failure to act upon what we know due to weakened trust, honesty, and certainty. Religion cannot be upheld by crumbs of our funds and time. Rather, it is upheld by standing under the shadows of swords. Blessed be those who understood the issue and emulated the prophet of mercy and epics, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, and thus fought and got killed in God's cause. We beseech God to accept them as martyrs.

The people of Iraq gladdened the Muslims' hearts in the month of Badr (the month of Ramadan, where the Battle of Badr took place in the early years of Islam), and later in Al-Nasiriyah where dozens of the occupation soldiers were killed or wounded, and also in Baghdad, Al-Fallujah, Al-Ramadi, Mosul, and Tikrit. They inflicted material losses on the enemy in terms of the aircraft shot down, and caused them to taste some of what the Muslims in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan are tasting, not to mention the adverse impact on their morale.

Greetings of reverence to the people of Samarra, Ba'qubah, and other cities, which upheld the banner of jihad. We would like to address them, saying: Have patience and enjoin each other to patience. If you demonstrate greater patience than Bush, you will get your hearts' desire, God willing. For victory is achieved when one demonstrates a measure of patience.

I offer my life and what I already have to the knights in whom my trust was not misplaced.

The knights who are not fed up with death even though fierce war rages.

Their valiance does not wear out even if they are roasted in war every now and then.

If the heat of the battle rages, they do not care. They treat madness with madness. (Lines of poetry)

Before concluding, I would like to remind you of an anecdote related by the authors of Al-Siyar books (books that deal with both the internal and external relationships of the state, with the subjects and with other nations or people). The story runs as follows: When the Muslims conquered North Africa, the commander of the polytheists offered a prize for whoever would kill the commander of the Muslims. Abdallah Bin-al-Zubayr (the son of Al-Zubayr, one of Prophet Muhammad's most prominent Companions) asked the commander of the Muslims, may God be pleased with both of them, to offer the same prize for whoever would kill the commander of the polytheists. A Muslim killed the polytheists' commander. Thus, he received his prize in full.

You know that the United States offered great prizes for whoever would kill those engaged in jihad in God's cause. God willing, we within the Al-Qa'ida Organization are committed to offering a prize amounting to 10,000 grams in gold to whoever would kill the occupier Bremer, his deputy, the commander of the US troops, or his deputy in Iraq.

With respect to the United Nations, it is merely a Crusader-Zionist tool even though it might seek cover by offering some relief work. Which organization handed over Palestine to the Jews other than the United Nations? Which organization brought about the secession of East Timor other than the United Nations? Which organization justified the Iraq embargo and the killing of more than 1 million children other than the United Nations?

It is today continuing its (word replaced with asterisks) role against the ummah. Therefore, whoever kills Kofi Annan, the head of his mission to Iraq, or his representatives, like Lakhdar Brahimi, will have the same prize, which is 10,000 grams of gold. There will be a prize of 1,000 grams of gold for whoever kills a military figure or civilian from the veto masters, such as the Americans or British, and 500 grams of gold for whoever kills a military figure or civilian from the slaves of the General Assembly in Iraq, such as Japan and Italy. In view of the security circumstances, the handing over of the prizes will be at the nearest possible opportunity, God willing. Whoever is killed after killing one of the soldiers of occupation, the biggest prize will be for us and for him. We pray that God would grant us martyrdom for His sake.

As for the smaller prize (the gold), it will be for his heirs, God willing.

Finally, I address an appeal to the youth of Islam: I tell them: rise to fight the crusaders and the Jews. Celebrate the praises of God. By God, the outcome is either victory or martyrdom. None of us will be killed unless thus ordained by God. He would be missed by his family, but his soul, as our prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, said, will be inside green birds flying wherever they want in Heaven. They will then land on the lamps hanging from the throne of the Merciful.

What a difference between the two neighborhoods, the neighborhood of one's family and the neighborhood of one's God. So, O young men of Islam everywhere, especially the people of the neighboring countries, where your duty is greater, O young men of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula, the land of Al-Kinanah (Egypt), and Al-Sham (historical Syria), O brave men of Rabi'ah and Mudar (old Arab tribes), the descendants of Saladin, the knights of Muhammad the Conqueror, the fedayeen of Umm al-Fida and Aleppo, the great and noble men of Ma'an and Al-Zarqa (Jordan), O dauntless men of Asir (Saudi Arabia), O heroes of Hashid, Mudhaj and Bakil (Yemen), let your assistance continue, to help you brothers in the land of Mesopotamia. The war is underway there, and its fire is raging. The steeds of the Cross have raided them, killing thousands of them and capturing thousands others. They want to eliminate those people and extinguish the light of their civilization. Praise be to God, they are fighting firmly in the face of the treacherous Romans (Westerners), sacrificing their souls and all their treasured possessions to defend their religion. How capable they are, and how good those who support them are!

They set out in the journey of supporting their mission, sacrificing their souls and money. They fear not death, leaving behind their kith and kin. They left their loved ones at home, and followed the path of Khalid and Bilal (early Islamic figures).

God, accept our martyrs, heal our wounded, set free our prisoners, help our heroes stand fast and assist them with your might, for only you can provide support for us or them. God, who revealed the book, who drives forward the clouds and defeated the parties (opposed to the prophet), defeat them and grant us victory over them. Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire God (Koranic verse). Ordain for this ummah a right path, where those who obey you will attain glory, while those who disobey you will reap humiliation. Ordain for this ummah a path where what is right in enjoined and what is wrong is forbidden. God, assist the mujahidin to prevail over the infidels in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, the Philippines, Chechnya, Pakistan, and everywhere else. You are all hearing, always near and ready to answer. Our last word is: Praise be to God, the lord of the worlds.

Translated from the original by WNC.