On the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11The Yemen Times investigates Bin Laden’s family roots in Yemen [Archives:2006/981/Reportage]

By: Yemen Times Staff
Celebrities in all spheres, whether serving or harming humanity, don't know exactly what their future will be, but often they are thrown into prominence through great events.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States Osama Bin Laden's name was on everyone's lips as the tragic event's orchestrator, which shocked the world.

Afterward, the world began wondering, “Who is Osama Bin Laden and who gave him the stoutheartedness to attack the world's superpower?”

The family name wasn't as well-known then, as it was linked only with the Bin Laden Group, a Saudi Arabian holding company for assets established by Osama's father, Mohammed. The family later was thrust into public view through Osama's activities.

Media paid special attention to every bit of information related to Bin Laden and rushed everywhere they thought they'd discover information about him. Many writers wrote about his roots and family background in Yemen, all agreeing that he's never been to Yemen.

As far as Yemen is concerned, numerous observers questioned the reality of any Bin Laden family roots in Yemen and, if so, where they are. After Sept. 11, media flocked to many places in Yemen and as a result, some locations, like Doan, were brought into the spotlight.

Doan is a lengthy and remote valley with many scattered villages renowned for high-quality honey. Located approximately 120 km. west of Sayun, it's also the hometown of many well-known families in Saudi Arabia, like Bougshan, Bin Mahfood and Bin Laden.

The Yemen Times visited what's described as the only remaining vestige of Bin Laden's family in Yemen.

Local sources in Doan say Osama's grandfather Awadh was born and grew up in Rakhiah, a secluded village 100 km. northwest of Sayun. He later settled in Robat Ba'ashan, a village situated in an extreme part of Doan Valley, and married an Al-Madodi tribeswoman.

Sources didn't specify the exact date of Awadh's departure from Rakhiah and his arrival in Robat Ba'ashan, where he built a small house and had two children, Osama's father Mohammed and Abdullah. The two boys spent their childhood with their father until his death.

The long-living Mubarak Ahmed Bahwirith, who lived with Mohammed and Abdullah, recounted that after the death of their father, who was buried in Doan, both young men traveled to Saudi Arabia. They married and all of their children, including Osama, were born and raised there.

Bahwirith asserted that while none of Mohammed's children had ever been to Doan, Mohammed visited Doan when his mother became sick and took her to Saudi Arabia for treatment. “After they made a fortune in the [Saudi] kingdom, they built a house in Yemen for guests and consultations. Abdullah frequented Doan to inaugurate the charitable projects he and his brother financed, like Al-Jahi Hospital and the water supplement project,” he added.

Mohammed died in a 1967 helicopter crash while inspecting road construction and Abdullah died in 2003 in Medina.

Built of mud-brick on a stone foundation, the Bin Laden family home in Doan was plastered externally with mud-plaster mixed with chopped straw. Part of the ramshackle old house now is used as a school while other parts are deserted.



Unfounded information

When attempting to photograph the Bin Laden house, Bin Laden water project employee Khalid Al-Aumiri intervened to prevent it. “Media aren't allowed to photograph unless they have advance permission from police,” he explained, “We implemented this procedure after some journalists misused the information and fabricated stories about Doan.”

To illustrate, Al-Aumiri said he saw a fabricated photo in a neighboring country's newspaper depicting a 15-year-old Osama looking out of a window in the Doan house. “This information doesn't hold water. Osama Bin Laden has never been to Doan in his life!” he clarified.

The search for information about Bin Laden may be difficult because the family previously wasn't given the attention it has nowadays.
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