Aukai Collins
Encyclopedia
Aukai Collins, born on February 13, 1974 is also known as "Aqil Collins" is an American of Irish descent who converted to Islam
and fought with Islamic Chechen
irregulars of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
. He was wounded in combat with elements of a Russian Spetsnaz
unit from which he subsequently lost his leg.
He then, among other things, went on to work as a deep cover intelligence operative for the FBI
His exploits, which included contacts with Al Qaeda leading operatives, are described in the autobiographical book My Jihad: One American's Journey Through the World of Usama Bin Laden—as a Covert Operative for the American Government (ISBN 0-7434-7059-1). Although he is sometimes referred to as Hawaiian American, he is Caucasian and was born in the continental United States, having moved to Hawaii for a period in his youth.
In this book he distinguishes between the Chechen armed resistance against the Russia
n army, which he regards as justified according to Islam
, and terrorism
in Al Qaeda style, which he regards as contrary to Islam.
He also claimed that he warned the bureau (FBI) long before 9/11 that Hani Hanjour
, one of the September 11th hijackers, was using a Phoenix
flight school as his training ground for terrorism. The FBI emphatically denied that Collins provided any information to the FBI about Hani Hanjour prior to 9/11 but admitted that Collins did have some dealings with bureau operatives.
He also appears in Canadian-born adventurer Robert Young Pelton
's book, The Hunter, The Hammer, and Heaven: Journeys to Three Worlds Gone Mad and director Lech Kowalski's short film documentary Camera Gun
After authoring My Jihad, Collins became a bounty hunter
, which ultimately led to his arrest in Mexico
on weapons charges. He was released in May 2006 after serving a 4-year prison sentence in Durango
,
Mexico
.
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and fought with Islamic Chechen
Chechen people
Chechens constitute the largest native ethnic group originating in the North Caucasus region. They refer to themselves as Noxçi . Also known as Sadiks , Gargareans, Malkhs...
irregulars of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is the unrecognized secessionist government of Chechnya. The republic was proclaimed in late 1991 by Dzokhar Dudayev, and fought two devastating wars between separatists and the Russian Federation which denounced secession...
. He was wounded in combat with elements of a Russian Spetsnaz
Spetsnaz
Spetsnaz, Specnaz tr: Voyska specialnogo naznacheniya; ) is an umbrella term for any special forces in Russian, literally "force of special purpose"...
unit from which he subsequently lost his leg.
He then, among other things, went on to work as a deep cover intelligence operative for the FBI
His exploits, which included contacts with Al Qaeda leading operatives, are described in the autobiographical book My Jihad: One American's Journey Through the World of Usama Bin Laden—as a Covert Operative for the American Government (ISBN 0-7434-7059-1). Although he is sometimes referred to as Hawaiian American, he is Caucasian and was born in the continental United States, having moved to Hawaii for a period in his youth.
In this book he distinguishes between the Chechen armed resistance against the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n army, which he regards as justified according to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, and terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
in Al Qaeda style, which he regards as contrary to Islam.
He also claimed that he warned the bureau (FBI) long before 9/11 that Hani Hanjour
Hani Hanjour
Hani Saleh Hasan Hanjour was the hijacker-pilot of American Airlines Flight 77, crashing the plane into the Pentagon as part of the September 11 attacks....
, one of the September 11th hijackers, was using a Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
flight school as his training ground for terrorism. The FBI emphatically denied that Collins provided any information to the FBI about Hani Hanjour prior to 9/11 but admitted that Collins did have some dealings with bureau operatives.
He also appears in Canadian-born adventurer Robert Young Pelton
Robert Young Pelton
Robert Young Pelton , is an author, journalist and documentary filmmaker. Pelton is considered an adventurer and a "witness" to conflict. Pelton is known for overcoming extraordinary obstacles in his search for the truth...
's book, The Hunter, The Hammer, and Heaven: Journeys to Three Worlds Gone Mad and director Lech Kowalski's short film documentary Camera Gun
After authoring My Jihad, Collins became a bounty hunter
Bounty hunter
A bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward . Other names, mainly used in the United States, include bail enforcement agent and fugitive recovery agent.-Laws in the U.S.:...
, which ultimately led to his arrest in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on weapons charges. He was released in May 2006 after serving a 4-year prison sentence in Durango
Durango
Durango officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Durango is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is located in Northwest Mexico. With a population of 1,632,934, it has Mexico's second-lowest population density, after Baja...
,
Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.