Terror manual gives instructions for attackers on how blend in

By Tom Hays

Associated Press

NEW YORK – No beards or other “Islamic characteristics.” Do not speak loudly or otherwise draw attention to yourself. Rent apartments in areas where neighbors do not know each other well.

The suicide hijackers in last week’s attacks apparently practiced terrorism by the book – a 180-page manual for Muslim operatives living undercover among their enemies in “godless areas” of the world.

The manual, “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants,” was discovered last year during an investigation of Osama bin Laden, and gives terrorists precise instructions on how to act while they await their orders to strike.

Investigators have not said whether the 19 hijackers ever read the manual, but glimpses of their lives suggest they conducted themselves according to its instructions during the months they spent in the United States.

Experts say the manual illustrates the inner workings of bin Laden’s al-Qaida organization, the prime suspect in the attacks. It also foreshadows the suicide hijackings themselves, in which the terrorists used boxcutters and knives.

For example, the manual’s “Assassinations” section gives precise instructions on how to use weapons with blades, saying the “enemy must be struck in one of these lethal spots: Anywhere in the rib cage, both or one eye, the back of the head, the end of the spinal column.”

The hijackers “seem to have followed (the manual) as closely as they could … making sure no one knew the whole picture,” said George Andrew, former deputy head of anti-terrorism for the FBI’s New York City office.

The manual says anyone willing to “undergo martyrdom” should be “able to act, pretend and mask himself” behind enemy lines.

Among its instructions:

_Do not address others with traditional Islamic greetings in which Allah’s name is invoked.

—Do not cause trouble in your neighborhood. Do not park in no-parking zones.

—Do not live near police stations.

—_Do not appear to be overly inquisitive.

—Burn letters immediately after reading them and get rid of the ashes, too.

—Rent apartments “in newly developed areas where people don’t know each other.”

—Use codes when talking on the telephone.

—Try not to be “chatty and talkative” in public.

—Maintain an appearance “that does not indicate Islamic orientation (beard, toothpick, book, long shirt, small Koran).”

Most television images of the men thought to have been aboard the airliners show them without beards. And people who met them said they wore Western clothes.

Neighbors of some of the men in California, Florida and Maryland said they lived in suburbs where they did not stand out. In Florida they moved frequently, staying in motels and apartments around the state.

They also joined gyms. One made small talk with a neighbor about sports. Another posted a personal ad on the Internet.

People who came into contact with them described them as quiet, friendly and sometimes timid men who gave few, if any, hints that they harbored deep resentment against the United States.

Nawaq Alhamzi, a suspected hijacker aboard the jet that crashed into the Pentagon, lived last fall in a new 175-unit San Diego apartment building where so many people came and went that he was barely noticed. He always paid the rent on time.

Some of the hijackers appeared to bend a rule in the manual stating that “there is nothing that permits … drinking wine or fornicating.”

Days before the World Trade Center attack, Mohamed Atta and Marwan Al-Shehhi were seen drinking at a sports bar in Hollywood, Fla. Majed Moqued was spotted perusing adult videos in two Laurel, Md., stores. He did not buy anything.

FBI agents discovered the manual last year in Manchester, England, in one of several “guest houses” authorities say al-Qaida used to harbor terrorist cells. The FBI was investigating bin Laden and his suspected role in the deadly 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa.

After studying the manual, the FBI suspected that bin Laden’s soldiers were attempting to infiltrate American society, said Andrew, the former FBI anti-terrorism official. But investigators apparently did not conclude that terrorists had already put themselves in position to strike.

They “didn’t think they were at that chapter yet,” Andrew said.

Associated Press Writers Pat Milton and Larry Neumeister contributed to this story.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.