Tags
Allah, Anger, Beauty, Benghazi, Current Issues, Cyrenaica, Death, God, Happiness, Hate, Heart, Human, Islam, Italian Libya, Italo-Turkish War, Libya, Libyan, Life, Lord, Men, Omar Al-Muktar, Omar Mukhtar, or We Die, Peace, Qura'n, Relationship, religion, Sharif El Gariani, Sufi's, Victory, Wars, We Will Never Surrender; We Win, Wisdom, Women, World, Youth
“We will never surrender; we win, or we die. And don’t think it stops there. You will have the next generation to fight, and after the next, the next. As for me, I will live longer than my hangman.”
Omar Al-Muktar, the leader of the Libyan struggle for freedom against the Italian fascists.
,,,
,,,
,,,
,,,
Omar Mukhtar (عمر المختار Omar Al-Mukhtār) (1862 – September 16, 1931), of the Mnifa, was born in the small village of Janzour, near Tobruk in eastern Barqa (Cyrenaica) in Libya. Beginning in 1912, he organized and, for nearly twenty years, led native resistance to Italian colonization of Libya. The Italians captured and hanged him in 1931.
Early life
Omar Almukhtar was born in eastern Cyrenaica, Al Butnan District, in the village of East Jaghbub east of Tobruk. He was orphaned early and was adopted by Sharif El Gariani, nephew of Hussein Ghariani, a political-religious leader in Cyrenaica. He received his early education at the local mosque and then studied for eight years at the Senussi university atJaghbub, which was also the headquarters of the Senussi Movement. In 1899 he was sent with other Senussi to assist Rabih az-Zubayr in the resistance in Chad against the French.
Italian invasion
Guerrilla warfare
In the mountainous region of Ghebel Akhdar (“Green Mountain”) in 1924, Italian Governor Ernesto Bombelli created a counter-guerrilla force that inflicted a severe setback to rebel forces in April 1925. Mukhtar then quickly modified his own tactics and was able to count on continued help from Egypt. In March, 1927, despite occupation of Giarabub from February 1926 and increasingly stringent rule under Governor Attilio Teruzzi, Mukhtar surprised Italian troops at Raheiba. Between 1927 and 1928, Mukhtar fully reorganized the Senu site forces, who were being hunted constantly by the Italians. Even General Teruzzi recognized Omar’s qualities of “exceptional perseverance and strong will power.”
Pietro Badoglio, governor of Libya from January 1929, after extensive negotiations concluded a compromise with Mukhtar (described by the Italians as his complete submission) similar to previous Italo-Senusite accords. At the end of October, 1929, Mukhtar denounced the compromise and re-established a unity of action among Libyan forces, preparing himself for the ultimate confrontation with GeneralRodolfo Graziani, the Italian military commander from March 1930.
A massive offensive in June against Mukhtar’s forces having failed, Graziani, in full accord with Badoglio, Emilio De Bono (minister of the colonies), and Benito Mussolini, initiated a plan to break Cyrenian resistance: the hundred-thousand population of Gebel would be moved to concentration camps on the coast and the Libyan-Egyptian border from the coast at Giarabub would be closed, preventing any foreign help to the fighters and depriving them of support from the native population. These measures, which Graziani initiated early in 1931, took their toll on the Senusite resistance. The rebels were deprived of help and reinforcements, spied upon, hit by Italian aircraft, and pursued on the ground by the Italian forces aided by local informers and collaborators. Mukhtar continued to struggle despite increased hardships and risks, but on 11 September 1931, he was ambushed near Slonta.
Mukhtar’s final adversary, Italian General Rodolfo Graziani, has given a description of the Senusite leader that is not lacking in respect: “Of medium height, stout, with white hair, beard and mustache. Omar was endowed with a quick and lively intelligence; was knowledgeable in religious matters, and revealed an energetic and impetuous character, unselfish and uncompromising; ultimately, he remained very religious and poor, even though he had been one of the most important Senusist figures.” Today Mukhtar is a famous man in Libya.
Capture and execution
Mukhtar’s struggle of nearly twenty years came to an end on 11 September 1931, when he was wounded in battle near Slonta, then captured by the Italian army. The Italians treated the native leader hero as a prize catch. His resilience had an impact on his jailers, who later remarked upon his steadfastness. His interrogators stated that Mukhtar recited verses of peace from the Qur’an.
In three days, Mukhtar was tried, convicted, and, on 14 September 1931, sentenced to be hanged publicly (historians and scholars have questioned whether his trial was fair or impartial). When asked if he wished to say any last words, Mukhtar replied with a Qur’anic phrase: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.” (“To God we belong and to Him we shall return.”).
On September 16, 1931, on the orders of the Italian court and with Italian hopes that Libyan resistance would die with him, Mukhtar was hanged before his followers in the concentration camp of Suluq at the age of 70 years.
Legacy
Today, Mukhtar’s face appears on the Libyan ten-dinar bill.
His final years were depicted in the movie Lion of the Desert (1981), starring Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, and Irene Papas. It was based on the struggles of Mukhtar against Rodolfo Graziani’s forces.
In 2009, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi wore a photograph of Mukhtar in Italian captivity on his chest while on a state visit to Rome, and brought along Mukhtar’s elderly son during the visit.
With the Libyan civil war beginning 17 February 2011, Omar Mukhtar again became a symbol for a united, free Libya and his picture is depicted on various flags and posters of the Free Libya movement. Rebel forces named one of their brigades the “Omar Mukhtar brigade” after him.
A street is named after Mukhtar in the Gaza Strip. It’s known locally as The Street of Omar Al Mukhtar.
P.S. Message to All Zionist and Fasiest and Nazi’s and Dictator’s and Invaders
All power to the people. Death to the fascist pigs and their bootlicking lackeys.
Yes Eideard…. Same shout to the Fascist and Zionist….. They are Rothschilds breed. So as hitler….
Lion of the Desert (1981) Anthony Quinn brilliant performance.
Oh yes I’ve seen the movie it is a beautiful movie….:)
Thank you for this post, Linda
You are most welcome Linda..:)
His eyes are full of wisdom; pain; and the knowledge of his own death. A sad portrait of an honorable man. I am always in favor and awe of men who stand against terrible odds to defend the place or people they love.
I am admitedly terrible at working out the right and wrong of some actions while others such as the George W Bush’s war on Iraq are so obviously without defence.
Libya? Have we provided more freedom and more opportunity for their people? I am not sure.
Syria. Ah; Syria. It seems that the country is under the fist of a tyrant and Fascist. He kills his own people and has forced the hand of the resistance forces by not listening when they asked peacefully.
He has killed and will kill mpore women and children.
On the other hand. Is Syria ready for an all out “helping hand” from us? In helping to destroy Assad; will we not kill innocent women and children? There is no comfort either way.
If supply weapons; will they not also kill women and children?
Is a puzzlement; NO?
What should the world do?
I wish we had a cleaner way to rid them of the tyrant but; one with less collateral damage; wait we do have those damned drones and Seal teams and etc.
Right; that would be bad form wouldn’t it? Had Osama been a national leader; they would not have assasinated him.
They would have invaded and captured him and then tried and hanged him but it is bad form to sneak in and kill Assad because he is the “Legal President”.
You see? The deeper you consider the possiblities; the more confusing it all becomes. When to help. When to stay out. Whose word do we take as to what their people would like us to do (not in Syria specifically but in general)?
Most of all; if we help; how can we help without killing innocents? That is the hardest question.
I am against violence but not when it comes to defending your home; family and self.
I detest all Right-Wing political philosophies. Fascism; Nazism; The Republican Party.
I have never understood how men can cause the terror and fear they do; all men of every nation.
As for Zionism; I suspect you mean more than just the Israeli threat to the Arab nations but I admit a vague understanding of the complete meaning of the word as it is used today; by you.
I oppose any action that increases Israels power in the region. Netenyahu already sits around with his finger on the trigger and their people still seem to be more to the RIGHT; although there is a growing movement of young Israelis who are desperate to find a way to peace between Arab and Israeli; Iranian and Israeli; Palestinian and Israeli.
Hopefully that movement will grow and gain power as time moves on. That movement has grown here in America and is exerting it’s will ever more strongly.
I do not however object tot existance of Israel. My lifetime of reading has convinced me that both the Palestinian people and the Jews have an equal right to call the land home and an equal right to soverign statehood. In my mind; there is no good reason these people can not live side by side and share those areas common to both.
Ultimately I find any violence repugnant and violence that forces otherwise peaceful people to kill to defend themselves even more so.
Sorry to run-on. I look forward to your thoughts about what I have said.
Thank you for your such a great thought. Indeed he was a great man and simple living being. He was hanged just for the pride of Fascist leaders. But he always lives in every single muslims heart. Majority of Muslims they know their history very well either it was good or bad. We dont deny that, thats for sure.
As you mentioned Libya was the same country who was supported by the west and US for the purpose of oil as the war was raged by Bush family due the collapse of the bureaucracy in the US and the systematic controlled demolish-ion of buildings was placed. As Saddam refuse to trade in US dollars so as Iran and Lybia. And this threat was very serious could lead US to destruction. Anyway Gaddafi no matter how bad he was he needed not to be assassinate. He should have face the justice in courts. He was assassinated by a sniper. and yet their is no peace. I am not proud to say that US have no support in Libya appart from some small tribes who are gaurded and funded by US and EU to get some oil thats all and that time is short for the helping in destruction hand.
About Osama who was also US generation of idea to defeat USSR. and that poor lad is gone long ago none of seen. Syria doesnt want any help syrian rebel was created by US and EU to stumble Assad regime. And there is no doubt to illuminate and create destruction was managed by NATO and US to kill there own people. and this destruction of helping had was very useful to create a civil war in Syria. Is the any of the help destruction man died in the field the answer is NO. They will just allow them to kill themselves as usual policy of the Rothschild since WW1 which is the best example ever.
Being honest with you killing innocent children in Palestine and Pakistan Afghanistan and Iraq and so on is not the ideal thing to do. I dont support Israel at All. from my side it is totally Zero. you may not like it but it is the truth and the bitter fact. I strongly believe the Net is a pure and profound Nazi so as the Israeli Army so called. Their ideology is to kill the others and be the superior generation so scew that I dont give damm about that. The corruption in the Muslim countries are supported by westerners for their own greed.
The solution is stop funding US Citizen money to Israeli Zionist regime and the corrupt leaders. and stop selling arm to poors instead of food and shelter.
Bahrain is oppressed what happen US didnt to helping hand but why it is I tell you cause they were Shia’s and US afraid that Iran may get his more hand in it. I love Iran even though I am not much of some ideas of the Ayatullah’s but I think they have right to do what they want to do and so be it. Afghanistan need some help what is happening there and Iraq haha is it safe jut the oil field have been protected thats all. I support the peoples voice of Egypt and wish them luck to do good. I do agree on the common thought for living peacefully. but unless the Zionism idea of greed is dead their will be no peace.
Yes I see your point and I won’t pretend to be able to disagree. What you say sounds like typical US policy and CIA manipulation for their own purposes. I really hope Obama can be persuaded to put the pressure on to mind our business. Also; though it will not be of much comfort; I do believe the Fascists in Israel will be replaced by a kinder gentler; younger leadership. the sooner; the better.
I hope that day may come soon to save the innocent lives and may bring peace in that part of the world.
Like my poem says we go back in history and nothing changes… if we hold onto anger, hatred and violence.
Through out every land the indigenous peoples have been suppressed and abused …. It seems Mankind cannot help but Kill everything in this world… Including the world in which we live…
What I am saying is that until we embrace Peace within ourselves with tolerance and harmony and learn to live in untiy we will continue to destroy ourselves… We have lost the Trust in each other…. and while ever we hold resentments and judgements.. WE are all lost..
~Peace
It is not that hate, it is the love of the my people and the people I love who are poor and suppressed for their love we should kick the invaders ass big time. Their is no hate in us remember it is the love of the people which counts the the invasion of hate….. 🙂
My wish is for there to be Peace in every home in every heart and in every corner of the world.. And I am very Awake as to the workings of this world .. There is Nothing gained through War… Only pain and suffering and profit for those who manipulate it… and they are the ones my friend who should stand facing each other … But the world is changing, and it will quickly show us that soon we will have more to worry about that fighting each other..As we will be all fighting for our own survival as Mother Nature will do some of her own cleansing.. ~Peace
I am just wondering Bush waged it and now it time to shuv it his butt so that he will teach his generation to come to not kill innocent lives in this earth… Peace start from home Sue……:)
Every time….. Every time….
Those whom I speak to which are in the afterlife.. which may make you smile but true none the less.. Know that there is to be much turmoil, But they are also teaching that we have to start and embrace peace from within our own being.. This is the only way forward in uniting the world in Mass Consciousness… I try doing my own bit by dropping my own pebble of peace into the web of life in the hope that the ripples reach out and spread as they touch a mind or two and perhaps make some one question Life and our existence… And have we not Lost our way? ..
Peace always starts from home.. within ones own soul.
Peace~ Sue
Exactly thats what needed in US start at home not cock up the world for minerals and energy. US needed to be educated how to treat the poverty at home first. Spirituality doesn’t feed the hunger so it is important to feed the young kids and teach them how to respect not to wage war against their own neighbour and reject the Zionist so that it bring harmony and peace internally. the kid with empty stomach dont have a clue about what is soul or etc. their is a certain age group kid may start to understand. Peace
Well it is time to wake up… lovely post… History
I t is also present Muslims always get invaded due to their humble nature….. and most countries always support the corrupt govts. for their own greed and they dont care about people….. It is also time for Pakistan Iran to shoot all the drones which crosses their limits to save innocent children and women.
So currupt evey thing.. it is like they actually have pleasure in seeing human blood all over the place.. Must this be.. ?? NO.. it is like humans got no value.. funny enough things do… that is why they trade the souls for their ego..
yes it is true I would never support the Zionist fucked up idea of superiority in this world. Neither do I favor any to Zionist as they killed many in Africa for minerals and diamonds…….
Ooh, WWII reference. Love it.
Thanks Rami… need to wake up the world….. 🙂
You know there is always some one invading someone… and what do we gain? … Freedom is something each of us desire… and for those fighting for their liberty under repression, my thoughts are with them, for no one should live under a dictatorship..
So many wars, so many lives lost throughout history … Peace is something we all strive for, as we condemn violence and war…
And yet I wonder how many of us have Peace in our own families without squabbles and fights…
Once we can embrace such peace in our own small world of a family unit and within ourselves, Only then I think will we find that reflected back in our Earth-World
A very interesting Post and I add my thoughts for PEACE…. for ALL… who ever and what ever labels they come under….
Wishing you a Peaceful Weekend my friend Sue
At the moment I can only see the fascist and Zionists and Nazis Israeli’s led invasion since WW1.. Even if you look back in the history. Jews blame romans for Yashu’s execution or the crusifiction and christians say its the jews so as the other’s.. Just to prove that the scriptures prophecy should be proven right the Zionist created the idea of ruling the world is the best.
I’ve have no sympathy for any invader who dies in the sovereign country…… I wish them only to die as cowards for killing innocent children and women and old people..
I too have no sympathy for anyone who wages war and violence upon another Human Being… we are all one whom ever we are.. We must also see, soldiers are often pawns in wars which are contrived,… and it is always the Innocent women and children and elderly who suffer the most..
~Peace
then I should go back Columbus time as well as that bastard killed native indians in their own land.