Ep 1. Brooklyn Jihad (1990-1995)

Road to 9/11 is a gripping series that explores the events and factors that led to the devastating terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. The first episode of Season 1, titled "Brooklyn Jihad (1990-1995)," delves into the early roots of Islamic extremism in the United States, specifically focusing on the community that formed around the Al-Kifah Refugee Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Through interviews with law enforcement officials, former members of the mosque, and journalists, the episode paints a vivid picture of how this unassuming storefront became a hub for radical Islamist activity. We see archival footage of young men being trained in paramilitary tactics and disturbing speeches by influential figures like Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, who would eventually be convicted of conspiracy in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

The show also introduces us to some of the key players in this community, including the charismatic Egyptian Sheikh Abdullah Azzam, who had a significant influence on future al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Azzam advocated for a global jihad against western powers and played a pivotal role in recruiting young Muslim men to fight in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union.

The episode also explores the broader political and social context in which this radicalization was taking place. With footage of the 1991 Gulf War and the Bosnian conflict in the mid-1990s, we see how events on the world stage were being interpreted by the Al-Kifah community as a call to action. We also hear from experts who discuss the role of the internet in spreading extremist ideology and connecting like-minded individuals across the globe.

Overall, "Brooklyn Jihad (1990-1995)" is a chilling look at the early days of Islamic extremism in the United States. It lays the groundwork for the series' larger narrative arc, tracing the evolution of this movement from its beginnings in Brooklyn to the fateful day on September 11th, 2001. Through interviews with those intimately connected to this world and the use of rarely seen archival footage, the episode immerses viewers in this frightening chapter in American history.