On April 22, 2008, Al-Ikhlas and other Islamic websites posted an Al-Sahab audio recording titled "An Open Meeting with Sheikh Ayman Al-Zawahiri - Part II." This recording is the second set of replies to questions reportedly addressed to Al-Zawahiri by Muslims via Islamist forums. Among the topics discussed are Al-Zawahiri's religious credentials, the role of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) in the future Islamic caliphate, the need to fight the Arab regimes, the Muslim Brotherhood's political platform, women's participation in jihad, and the duty of Muslims residing in the West to carry out attacks against the host countries.

The following are excerpts from Al-Zawahiri's replies: [1]

To read the MEMRI report on the first "Open Meeting with Sheikh Ayman Al-Zawahiri," visit:
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP188708.

A Muslim Woman Must Not "Leave Her Children with Someone Not Committed to [the Salafi Doctrine]"

Asked whether a woman who sets off to wage jihad may leave her children in the care of a non-Salafi guardian, Al-Zawahiri replied: "When jihad is a personal duty, it is obligatory for everyone. However, the mujahideen [have the right to assess] whether it is necessary to recruit each and every Muslim to jihad. I therefore call upon [Muslim women] not to leave their children [in the care of individuals] who are not committed to [the Salafi doctrine]. Instead, they must always be ready to meet the mujahideen's needs [in any other way]."

"Jihad Always Takes Precedence over the Pursuit of Knowledge"

In response to a question regarding the relative importance of marriage, religious studies and jihad, Al-Zawahiri stated: "...Jihad always takes precedence over marriage and the pursuit of knowledge because it is a personal obligation. However, if a person cannot [fight on the battlefield], then he may seek religious knowledge, even from 'ulama who are affiliated with the [Arab] regimes."

Secular Constitutions Do Not Recognize Shari'a as the Ultimate Source of Authority

About the draft platform published by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in August 2007, [2] Al-Zawahiri states: "I do not believe that the Muslim Brotherhood draft platform [truly] recognizes the [Islamic] shari'a. [The draft states that it is based on the Egyptian] constitution, and takes into account freedom of expression, opinion and thought... This...clearly contradicts the principle that shari'a is the [ultimate source of] authority. A secular constitution does not recognize shari'a as sovereign... In addition, the word 'democracy' is mentioned in the draft 19 times... This word has a specific meaning, namely, the rule of the majority, and it does not in any way [recognize] the authority of shari'a."

The Arab Regimes "Should Be [the Target of] Attacks by the the Mujahideen"

Asked whether the Muslims should postpone the jihad against the Arab regimes until after they complete their jihad against the infidels, Al-Zawahiri answered: "We are [currently] preoccupied with attacking the interests of the Americans, the Crusaders and the Jews. [However,] the collaborating regimes [i.e., the Arab regimes] should be [a target of] attacks by the mujahideen because they protect the Crusader-Jewish interests. Did they not assist the Crusaders with military bases and with supplies... so they could kill Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq...? Do these regimes, through their apparatuses and fatwas, not prevent [Muslims] from fighting the Jews and Crusaders?"

"I Call Upon the Muslims in the West... Not to Avoid their Personal Obligation [to Wage Jihad]"

Addressing Muslims who reside in the West, Al-Zawahiri advised them to follow the doctrine of "associating with the righteous [i.e., with other Salafi Muslims] and avoiding the company of the impious [i.e., non-Salafis]." He added that the best way to do this is by waging jihad against the infidels who commit acts of aggression against Muslims and their countries, saying: "I therefore call upon the Muslims in the West and everywhere not to avoid this personal obligation, [but to fulfill it] with their souls, [and with all the] property, knowledge, expertise and know-how [at their disposal]."