Today marks the 94th anniversary of the martyrdom of Omar Al-Mukhtar, the legendary leader of Libya’s resistance against Italian colonialism and one of the most enduring figures of Arab and Islamic anti-colonial struggle. Known as the “Lion of the Desert,” Al-Mukhtar spent more than two decades leading guerrilla campaigns in the mountains and deserts of Libya before his capture and execution by hanging on September 16, 1931.
Early Life and Education
Omar Al-Mukhtar was born on August 20, 1858, in the village of Janzour, in the Al-Butnan region of eastern Libya. Orphaned at an early age after his father died during a pilgrimage to Mecca, Al-Mukhtar was raised by the scholars of the Sanusi order, who nurtured him with Islamic and nationalist values.
He studied the Qur’an and Sharia at the renowned Al-Jaghbub Institute, where he became closely linked to the Sanusi movement. His devotion and leadership earned him the trust of the Sanusi leaders, who tasked him with overseeing several religious centers, including the Zawiya at Al-Qusour in the Green Mountain in 1897. He later accompanied Muhammad Al-Mahdi Al-Sanusi to Chad, spreading Islamic teachings and fighting against French colonial forces, before returning to Libya to command Sanusi camps in the Green Mountain.
Resistance Against Italian Colonization
When Italy launched its invasion of Libya in September 1911, Al-Mukhtar immediately returned to the Green Mountain to organize resistance. He fought in the Battle of Al-Salawi against Italian forces and later assumed leadership of the Supreme Council for Jihad Operations after the withdrawal of Ottoman troops under the Treaty of Lausanne in 1912.
From that point forward, Al-Mukhtar became the de facto commander of the Libyan resistance. For nearly two decades, he led hundreds of battles across eastern Libya and the desert, inflicting heavy losses on the Italian army. His mastery of guerrilla warfare tactics forced Italy into a prolonged war of attrition, making him an enduring symbol of resilience and sacrifice.
A Legacy That Endures
Omar Al-Mukhtar’s execution in 1931 was intended to break the will of the Libyan resistance. Instead, his courage and sacrifice immortalized him as a hero not only for Libyans but also for Arabs and Muslims worldwide. His name continues to inspire freedom movements across the globe, and his story remains a cornerstone of Libya’s modern national identity.
