Osama Bin Laden
Al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011 Courtesy of Abdel Bari Atwan

Like all jobseekers, would-be-jihadists willing to join al-Qaeda were asked to fill in an application form detailing their previous experience and expertise, documents released by the US government revealed.

The list of dark and bizarre questions applicants were asked to answer when joining the global terror group is among a stash of documents recovered by US Navy Seals during the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden's Pakistani hideout.

"Do you know any workers or experts in chemistry, communications, or any other field?"
- al-Qaeda application form

The recruitment form opened asking potential Islamist militants to: "Please answer the required information accurately and truthfully" and to "write clearly and legibly".

Bearing the watermark of "The Security Committee, Al-Qaeda Organization" it then required applicant to write down their personal details - name, occupation and marital status - before passing to information more relevant to a terrorist network.

"Do you wish to execute a suicide operation?" the form read. "Who should we contact in case you became a martyr?"

The document gave an insight into what qualities and skill-sets al-Qaeda leaders looked for while recruiting. Military training and previous fighting experience were appreciated, but also was a vast contact book.

"Do any of your family or friends work with the government? If so, would he/she be willing to cooperate with or help us?", one question asked.

"Do you know any workers or experts in chemistry, communications, or any other field?", read another one"

The ability to travel or knowing someone who could was also a plus.

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"List the types of passports you possess. Did you use a real or forged passport for your current travel?", the from translated by the Central Intelligence Agency read. "Do you know anyone who travels to Western countries?"

The form also asked Islamists details of their education in Islam ("How much of the holy Quran have you memorized?") and in foreign languages.

Interestingly applicants were also questioned on their hobbies, pastimes and personal achievements.

"What is your favourite material: science or literature?" the document read. "Have you invented or researched anything in any domain?".

The form is among more than 100 documents declassified by the US government four year after they were seized in Abbottabad on 2 May 2011 during the operation that killed Bin Landen.

Other releases part of the world's most wanted terrorist's bookshelf include maps on Iran nuclear sites, IT software manuals, books and a lot of material on France. The list also includes a video game guide to Delta Force Extreme 2 and a bizarre "suicide prevention guide" entitled "Is it the heart you are asking?"

The Office of the Director of the National Intelligence said that "all documents whose publication will not hurt ongoing operations against al-Qaeda or their affiliates will be released."

THE JIHADI APPLICATION FORM IN FULL

In the name of Allah the compassionate and merciful Important remarks before you fill in the application:

1. Please answer the required information accurately and truthfully.

2. Please write clearly and legibly.

3. If you do not speak Arabic, please answer in the language you know.

4. Please refrain from sharing the information you provide on the application with each other because it is a trust to Almighty Allah.

5. You should know that the review of this application form is limited to the concerned individuals only.

6. If you would like to discuss any further issue, please tell your direct brother supervisor.

(TN: The following is a blank form:)

Personal Information:

  • - Name:
  • - Today's Date (Hijri):..........Today's Date (A.D.): ..........
  • - Nickname/Alias:
  • - First Name:
  • - Father's Name:
  • - Grandfather's Name:
  • - Family Name:
  • - Father's Occupation:
  • - Number of Family Members:
  • - Age:
  • - Marital status:
  • - Country:
  • - Profession: - Address:........Country:.......City:.........Street:..........
  • - Date of your arrival in the land of Jihad:....................
  • - How long do you plan to stay in the (jihadi) theater?.........

Education Level: Primary.......Elementary.......Secondary......College...........

When did Almighty Allah bless you with this gift?...............

How much of the holy Qur'an have you memorized?

Did you study Shari'a? Who was your instructor?...............................

Which shaykhs do you listen to or read often?...................

Which shaykhs or Muslim dignitaries do you know?................

Have you invented or researched anything in any domain?.........

Any hobbies or pastimes?........................................

What other languages do you speak and at what level?. Language:.......Read:..........Write:...........Speak:..........

What is your fluency in these foreign language(s:)? Poor...............Good.............Excellent...................

List the countries to which you have traveled and the purpose of the trip(s):....................................................

Do you know anyone who travels to Western countries?............

What is your favorite material: science or literature?:....................................................

List the experience or expertise that you have in any area:...........................................................

Do you know any workers or experts in chemistry, communications, or any other field?.............................................

Do any of your family or friends work with the government? If so, would he/she be willing to cooperate with or help us?.............................................................

How many trips have you taken to Pakistan and for what reason(s)?......................................................

Were you previously been affiliated to any group(s)? ................................................................

Are you currently a member in a group?..........................

Have you been ever convicted by any court? When, and who convicted you? What was the offense?............................

Have you ever been in jail or prison?...........................

List your previous occupations:.................................

Have you received military training?............................

Have you ever joined the Afghanistan theater? If so, what year and which group?................................................

Are any of your relatives or friends in the jihad theater? ................................................................

List the types of passports you possess.

Did you use a real or forged passport for your current travel?........................

Provide details on how you arrived here:........................

Did you encounter any difficulties on the road to this place? ................................................................

Do you wish to execute a suicide operation?.....................

What objectives would you would like to accomplish on your jihad path?...........................................................

What ideas and views do you, your family, and your other acquaintances have about jihad in Allah's sake here?............ Family members:..............Other acquaintances:...............

Do you have any chronic or hereditary disease(s)?...............

Who should we contact in case you became a martyr?.............

  • - Address:......................................................
  • - Phone numbers:................................................

Praise Allah, Lord of all worlds

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