ahmed yassin (january 1, 1937 – march 22, 2004) was a spiritual leader of the militant palestinian group hamas. yassin's birth date is in dispute. he claimed he was born 1/1/1938, however, his passport indicated 1/1/1937. to some he was a hero, to some he was a notorious member of a terrorist organization. he was also a symbolic figure for palestinians to fight against israel.