Mohamed Atta (1968

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Biography

Mohamed Atta was an Egyptian engineer, architect and terrorist hijacker for al-Qaeda. Ideologically a pan-Islamist, he was the ringleader of the September 11 attacks and served as the hijacker-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, which he flew into the North Tower of the original World Trade Center as part of coordinated suicide attacks. Aged 33, he was the oldest of the 19 hijackers who took part in the mission. Before the attacks, he worked as a civil engineer.

Timeline

The story of Mohamed Atta, told in moments.

1999 Life

Travels to Afghanistan and meets Osama bin Laden. He's recruited for what will become the September 11 operation. Returns to Hamburg. Enrolls in flight school in Florida. Practices on simulators. His instructors describe him as cold and competent.

What happened to you in Afghanistan? Was meeting bin Laden the point of no return? Did practicing on simulators feel like preparation for murder?

2001 Death

Pilots American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. He was 33. He'd checked in at Portland, Maine, the night before. His luggage, which didn't make the connecting flight, contained his will and flight manuals. 2,977 people die that day.

Was 8:46 a.m. the moment you chose? Did the luggage with your will left behind matter to you? Do you understand 2,977 lives ended because of what you did?

In Their Own Words (5)

We have some planes. Just stay quiet and we'll be ok. We are returning to the airport.

Full Audio Transcript (2011), 2001

'''Make sure that nobody is following you.

The Last Night (2001), 2001

Nobody move, everything will be ok. If you try to make any moves, you will injure yourself and the airplane. Just stay quiet.

Full Audio Transcript (2011), 2001

Nobody move please. We are going back to the airport. Don’t try to make any stupid moves.

Full Audio Transcript (2011), 2001

Oh, God, open all doors for me. Oh God who answers prayers and answers those who ask you, I am asking you for your help. I am asking you for forgiveness. I am asking you to lighten my way. I am asking you to lift the burden I feel. Oh God, you who open all doors, please open all doors for me, open all venues for me, open all avenues for me. God, I trust in you. God, I lay myself in your hands.... There is no God but God, I being a sinner. We are of God, and to God we return.