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Biography of Omar al-MukhtarName: Omar al-MukhtarBirth Date: c. 1860 Death Date: September 11, 1931 Place of Birth: N/A Nationality: Libyan Gender: Male Occupations: nationalsit, national hero, religious organization Omar al-Mukhtar Omar al-Mukhtar (ca. 1860-1931), national hero of Libya and member of the Senusy, a religious organization with administrative and military functions, led the anticolonial resistance in Cirenaica from 1923 to 1931, when he was captured by the Italians and condemned to death.Little is known of Omar al-Mukhtar until the last decade of his life when he became the undisputed leader of the Senusist resistance in Cirenaica. Even his date of birth is uncertain, somewhere between 1856 and 1862, in el Batwan in oriental Cirenaica. For eight years he studied in the koran school of Giarabub, the Senusy's holy city. He taught in a Senusist zawiya but also took part in military operations against the Italians and the allies during World War I.When the Italians openly attacked Senusy in the spring of 1923 (at the end of April the existing agreements were formally denounced) Omar was among the most competent and active figures in organizing …showed first 150 words…
…showed last 150 words…times author A. Del Boca judged him: "Omar is not only an example of religious faith and a born fighter but also the builder of that perfect military-political organization, which for ten years kept in check troops under four governors."The memory of Omar remained alive. Libya, independent, monarchic, and revolutionary, declared him its national hero. His life was depicted by Anthony Quinn in the movie "The Lion of the Desert," produced by Siro-American Akkad. Associated Organizations Further Reading The religious organization that provided the military base of Omar al-Mukhtar is discussed in E.E. Evans Pritchard, The Senusy of Cirenaica (Oxford, 1949). Two other relevant books are in Italian: Omar al-Mukhtar e la riconquista fascista della Libia (Omar al-Mukhtar and the fascist reconquest of Libya), by various authors (Milan, 1981); and A. Del Boca, Gli italiani in Libia: Dal fascismo a Gheddafi (The Italians in Libya: From fascism to Gheddafi), (Bari, 1988). |