Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi
Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi

Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi (born Isam Muhammad Tahir Al-Barqawi) is a Jordanian-Palestinian Salafi leader who became a mentor for Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the founder of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, while they were in prison together. Al-Maqdisi’s writings are still a source of inspiration for many Salafi-Jihadis despite his criticism of the extreme violence of Al-Zarqawi and other jihadis. He is especially known for his book in which he declared takfir on the Saudi regime. Al-Maqdisi was recently found guilty on terrorism charges and sentenced to five years in prison by a Jordanian court.

Source of Influence: Extremists

Status: Featured in current year