Question

how did al-qaeda get its start?
as a middle eastern religious organization
as a terrorist group that attacked the united states
as a force against soviet invasion of afghanistan
as a peace-seeking islamic political party

Explanation:

Al-Qaeda originated from the network of foreign fighters who came to Afghanistan in the 1980s to resist the Soviet Union's invasion of the country. It later evolved into the organization known today, but its initial roots are tied to this anti-Soviet resistance effort. The other options are incorrect: it was not initially a general Middle Eastern religious organization, it became known for attacks on the U.S. much later, and it was never a peace-seeking political party.

Answer:

as a force against Soviet invasion of Afghanistan