Omar Al-Mukhtar

(also Umar al-Mukhtar). Born circa 1862; died Sept. 16, 1931. Libyan national hero; from 1923 to 1931, leader of the armed struggle of the tribes of Cyrenaica against the Italian Fascist invaders.

Omar al-Mukhtar received a religious education, first in Jan-zur, then in the zawiyah (religious house) of al-Jaghbub. He became sheikh of the Sanusi brotherhood of al-Qasr. From 1911 he was active in the struggle of the Libyan people against the Italian invaders. From 1923 until 1931 the detachments under his command prevented the Fascists from taking control of Cyrenaica. On Sept. 11, 1931, Omar al-Mukhtar was wounded, captured, and executed.