FBI follow up interviews with Awlaki, September 17 and 19, 2001

FD-302 (Rev. 10-6-95)

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 10-22-2012 BY 65179 DMH/MJS

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FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription 09/21/2001

On September 19, 2001, Special Agents (SAs) [illegible] and [illegible] of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in reference to Control Number 2334, conducted an interview of ANWAR AUQALI, Imam, DAL HIJRA MOSQUE, 3331 Kaywood Drive, Falls Church, Virginia, 22041 at the office of his attorney [illegible] and [illegible] Springfield, Virginia, 22151. The purpose of the interview was to glean further information from AULAQI in regards to his relationship with NAWAF AL-HAZMI, subject of Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon. Present during the interview were AUQALI, [illegible] and [illegible] Paralegal [illegible] and [illegible] AUQALI provided the following information:

The interview began by discussing possible problems that AULAQI may be experiencing at the mosque with possible hate crimes or disturbances. He advised that they have had two minor incidents, but the Fairfax County Police are handling the reports and they were only minor disturbances. The reports are being handled in the mosque by [illegible]

The discussion then turned to the previous interviews that the SAs had conducted with AULAQI on 9/15/01 and 9/17/01. During these two interviews, AULAQI advised that he had recognized subject NAWAF AL-HAZMI. AULAQI reiterated that although he had met with AL-HAZMI on numerous occasions, he could not remember any specific conversations with AL-HAZMI, most of them were usually trivial in nature. AULAQI described AL-HAZMI as short (approximately 5'5"), thin and not well built. He stated that AL-HAZMI could not be involved in the hijacking because he was too skinny and could not offer much protection to the hijackers. AULAQI used the statement that "AL-HAZMI was so slight of build that he might have trouble slaughtering a chicken". AULAQI remembers that AL-HAZMI wore western/American attire most of the time and was always clean shaven.

[illegible] then interrupted AULAQI and stated "Saudis look a lot alike". He then went on to describe how it would be very difficult for the Imam to really distinguish between several of the members of the mosque because they all look similar.

AULAQI continued that he had placed a call to the Head of the AL-RIBAT MOSQUE in San Diego, [illegible] (ph) [illegible] AULAQI had made the call to query [illegible] regarding his memory of AL-HAZMI. He then advised that the FBI could contact [illegible] regarding AL-HAZMI as [illegible] has been at the

Investigation on 9/19/01 at Falls Church, Virginia

File # 265D-NY-280350-302 Date dictated 9/21/01 by SA [illegible] Awlaki-123

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

[Handwritten: 202 / 19639]

FD-302a (Rev. 10-6-95)

265D-NY-280350-WF

Continuation of FD-302 of ANWAR AULAQI , On 9/19/01 , Page 2

mosque for numerous years with AL-HAZMI and would have a better recollection of him and his personality. AULAQI described [illegible] as stiff and very formal. b6 b7C

AULAQI reiterated that he had attended Ramadan in Saudi Arabia during mid-November through mid-December 2000.

Awlaki-124

FD-302 (Rev. 10-6-95)

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 10-22-2012 BY 65179 DMH/MJS

• 1 -

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription 09/19/2001

On September 19, 2001, Special Agents (SAs) and of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in reference to Control Number 2334, met with Springfield, Virginia, 22151, telephone number fax number e-mail address at his office. Also present during the interview were Paralegal, Springfield, Virginia, 22151, fax number e-mail address and ANWAR AULAQI, Imam for the DAL AL-HIJRA mosque. The interview began at approximately 11:45 a.m. and the following information was provided by

advised that he is representing numerous individuals from the DAL AL-HIJRA mosque to include the Imam AULAQI. He further advised that over the last week he has meet with numerous FBI agents due to the fact that all of his clients are being interviewed. He was very distraught over this fact. Over the course of the next 1 ½ hours discussed the Muslim religion and all of the faults of Americans. He was very strong in his opinions and stated several very interesting points.

stated that it could not possible be USAMA BIN LADIN who organized and carried out this attack. He felt very strongly about this. gave several reasons. First, BIN LADIN would not have the financial resources or backing for this type of operation. Secondly, he could not plan something this far in advance. Thirdly, the United States was blaming BIN LADIN because Americans always need someone or one person to blame. They cannot comprehend that several groups could be behind this attack. further stated that many groups outside of the United States do not like Americans and therefore would help or assist in this type of operation.

Also, advised that the individuals who conducted this operation could not be true Muslims. True Muslims would not go to a bar the night before and drink, nor would they have girlfriends or wives here in the U.S. Also they would never shave their beards off until the night before the operation. True Muslims would not stay in the U.S. for several years in order to carry out an operation. They would travel extensively to and from the U.S. to their country of origin. further advised that Saudi's individuals could not carry off this attack because "they are not smart enough". Further into the

Investigation on 9/19/01 at Springfield, Virginia File # 265D-NY-280350-302 SA by SA Awlaki-125 Date dictated 9/19/01 302 19650

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency. it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FD-302a (Rev. 10-6-95)

265D-NY-280350

Continuation of FD-302 of [illegible] b6 b7C , On 9/19/01 , Page 2 b6 b7C general discussion of religion, [illegible] continued to express his beliefs that the Muslim religion was superior to any religion the Americans have.

[illegible] then changed the subject to the Muslim community located here in the U.S. He advised that they are all very concerned that more and more Muslim's civil rights will be violated. He also stated that any further contact b6 with Imam AULAQI should be through him directly. Further, he would like no more b7C further contact to take place unless the FBI had direct reasons for questioning Imam AULAQI.

Prior to the end of the interview, [illegible] stated that "you should be cautious during the funeral ceremonies as that may be a high emotional point for b6 you Americans". This statement was used in the context that many Muslim's civil b7C rights would be violated because Americans would be on an emotional roller coaster due to the ceremonies and would be over reacting to this situation.

The interview was ended at approximately 1:30 p.m. with [illegible] b6 stating that further contact with the Imam unless absolutely necessary would be b7C minimal if not non-existent.

Awlaki-126