Summary:
The concept of Transnational jihad and Pan-Islamism got prominence and came up as a phenomenon with the rise of ideologues like Abdallah Azzam, Anwar al Awlaki, Mohammad al-Maqdisi and others. The present paper focuses mostly on Abdallah Azzam, the father of trans-national jihad, who later was credited being the most significant person in bringing Arab Fighters to Afghanistan in the 1980. Besides, it provides insight into the ideology of al-Maqdisi which explains the massive impact these religious scholars have in the Muslim world. The role of these ideologues could not be understood without delving into trans-national jihad and ‘foreign fighters’- the agents of Global Jihad.
Mohit Sharma-a postgraduate in International Relations and Area Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Currently- Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi working on a book project titled ‘State of Afghanistan: Post 9/11 and Beyond’. Area of expertise – tracking developments in South Asia with focus on extremist groups operating in the Af-Pak region. His research focuses on Taliban’s administrative structure, Leadership, and various factions within Taliban.