Translation of Sept. 11 Hijacker Mohamed Atta's Suicide Note: Part One

Sept. 28, 2001 -- U.S. authorities say they have found a handwritten letter in Arabic in a suitcase that belonged to Mohamed Atta, one of the hijackers involved in the deadly Sept. 11 suicide attacks.

The letter allegedly links hijackers on three of the four planes used in the attacks, officials said. The following is a translation by ABC:

Beginning Of Page One:

The last night: One of the companions of the Prophet said: The Messenger of God had ordered us to recite it [Qur'anic verse] before the battle, we did, we won the battle and we were not harmed.

1- Pledge allegiance to die, and the renewal of steps to be alert. * shaving of extra body hair, wearing fragrance. * wash up.

2- To know the plan very well -- know all its aspects and notes regarding reaction by or resistance from the enemy.

3- Read Surat al-Tawba, and Surat al-Anfal -- understand their meanings and understand what God had prepared for the faithful -- He prepared an everlasting paradise for the martyrs.

4- Remind yourself of obedience -- In this night you will face decisive moments. These moments require obedience (100%). Calm your soul, make it understand, and convince and push her to do that [the mission]. God said "Obey God and his Prophet, if you don't, you will fail and lose your winds, be patient, God is with those who are patient."

5- Stay up at night, persist in your invocations of victory, control and conquest. [your invocation for] Thing to go well and for God to provides a cover for us.

6- Increase your mention of God's name. The best mention is reading the Qur'an. All scholars agreed to this. It is enough for us, that [the Qur'an] is the word of the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Who we are about to meet.

7- cleanse your heart of sins, forget and try to forget something called life. The time of play is over, now is the time of the true promise [of God]. How many [years] we have wasted [!] shouldn't we use these hours to present [to God, our] sacrifices and obedience.