The Counter Extremism Project issued the following statement today in remembrance of the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks:
“As we remember the nearly 3,000 people who perished on September 11 at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania 16 years ago, it is vitally important that we recommit ourselves to combating extremism in all its forms.
While much has changed in the years since 19 hijackers deliberately crashed four jetliners in a deadly plot against the United States, the challenges posed by ideologies that condone horrific violence and hate continue to evolve and threaten peace, freedom, tolerance, and pluralism. Those of us who cherish these sacred values must continue to condemn violence and the groups that promote it.”
CEP maintains a database of extremist and terrorist leaders and operatives around the globe, profiling the world’s most notorious terrorist operatives, their current activities, and their various pathways to terror. These include reports on al-Qaeda’s current and former leaders, and the 19 September 11 hijackers, including:
- Mohamed Atta, operational leader of the 9/11 attacks and the hijacker-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, which struck the World Trade Center’s north tower;
- Marwan al Shehhi, hijacker-pilot of United Airlines Flight 175, flown into the World Trade Center’s south tower;
- Hani Hanjour, hijacker-pilot of American Airlines Flight 77, flown into the Pentagon; and
- Ziad Jarrah, hijacker-pilot of United Airlines Flight 93.
