Mohammed Omar — Politicians

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

He founded the Taliban in 1994, ruled Afghanistan under strict Sharia from 1996 to 2001, refused to hand over Osama bin Laden after September 11, and triggered the American invasion that toppled his government. He spent his last twelve years in hiding and died of tuberculosis in 2013.

Biography

About

Born into a religious family in Kandahar, Muhammad Umar Mujahid joined the mujahideen after the Soviet invasion in 1979, losing his right eye in combat during the war. After the Soviets withdrew and Afghanistan collapsed into civil war in 1992, he grew disgusted with what he saw as moral decay and formed the Taliban with religious students in 1994. By 1996 his forces had seized most of the country and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, a Sunni theocracy that massacred civilians, banned women from school and work, and demolished the Buddhas of Bamiyan on his personal decree. When a…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Mohammed Omar

Mohammed Omar

said17 Oct 2001

I am convinced that God will defeat the big infidel and cause its downfall.

— "Taleban leader vows to defeat 'infidel", October 17, 2001.

Mohammed Omar

said23 Sep 2001

The promise of God is that my land is vast. If you start a journey on God's path, you can reside anywhere on this earth and will be protected.

— Interview by Spozhmai Maiwandi, Voice of America, 23 September 2001

Mohammed Omar

said23 Sep 2001

God... is helping the believers and the Muslims. God says he will never be satisfied with the infidels. In terms of worldly affairs, America is very strong.

— Interview by Spozhmai Maiwandi, Voice of America, 23 September 2001

Mohammed Omar

said23 Sep 2001

America has created the evil that is attacking it. The evil will not disappear even if I die and Osama dies and others die. This is U.S. policy. The U.S.

— Interview by Spozhmai Maiwandi, 23 September 2001

Mohammed Omar

said15 Sep 2001