One of the problems with multi-part columns is that a breaking story or timely development can wreak havoc on any semblance of an orderly schedule. Such is the case with the conclusion of a critical look at Mike Wallace, the first part of which appeared here two weeks ago.
The Monitor is putting Wallace aside for a second successive week (stay tuned: it will run, and soon) in favor of another chilling translation from the Arab media courtesy of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
On June 5, the London-based Arabic-language daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat published an interview with Umm Nidal, the mother of homicide bomber Muhammad Farhat. (Ms. Nidal has a history of supporting Palestinian terror; during the first intifada, she hid ‘Imad ‘Aql, commander of Hamas’s military wing, in her home for more than a year.)
As you read the following excerpts from the interview, bear in mind that a) according to their own polls, a solid majority of Palestinians venerate murderers like this woman’s late son, and that b) these are the people for whom the European elites and American campus leftists sign their petitions and shed their tears.
Q: How did the idea of carrying out a Fidaai [martyrdom] operation develop in [your son] Muhammad’s soul?
Umm Nidal: Jihad is a [religious] commandment imposed upon us. We must instill this idea in our sons’ souls, all the time.
Q: Did you have a role in the planting of this spirit in Muhammad?
Umm Nidal: Allah be praised, I am a Muslim and I believe in Jihad. Jihad is one of the elements of the faith and this is what encouraged me to sacrifice Muhammad for the sake of Allah. Because I love my son, I encouraged him to die a martyr’s death for the sake of Allah.
Q: ‘Imad ‘Aql lived with you, and was killed in your home. Did his personality influence Muhammad?
Umm Nidal: Muhammad would listen to ‘Imad and watch him plan operations. This was the source of Muhammad’s love of martyrdom. I, as a mother, naturally encouraged the love of Jihad in the soul of Muhammad and in the souls of all my sons, all of whom belong to the
Al-Qassam Brigades.
Q: How did Muhammad say goodbye before he carried out the operation?
Umm Nidal: Muhammad was willing to carry out any martyrdom operation. He swore to me that the only reason he loved life was Jihad. He tried several times. He would go out to the Al-Muntar road, taking his gun and bombs, but an opportunity did not present itself. He would return with his blood boiling because he hadn’t managed to carry out an operation. He would brandish his weapon and tell me, “Mom, this is my bride.” He loved his gun so much.
On the day of the operation, he came to me and told me, “Now, mother, I am setting out for my operation. He set out to carry out the operation, and when he got to the area he spent the night with his friends there. I was in contact with him and I asked him about his morale. He told me he was very happy. Indeed, I saw his face happier than I had ever seen it.
I prayed from the depths of my heart that Allah would cause the success of his operation. I asked Allah to give me 10 [Israelis] for Muhammad, and Allah granted my request and Muhammad made his dream come true, killing 10 Israeli settlers and soldiers. Our God honored him even more, in that there were many Israelis wounded.
When the operation was over, the media broadcast the news. Then Muhammad’s brother came to me and informed me of his martyrdom. I began to cry, “Allah is the greatest,” and prayed and thanked Allah for the success of the operation. I began to utter cries of joy and we declared that we were happy.
After all this, I prepared myself to receive the body of my son in order to look upon him one last time and accept the well-wishers who [came] to us in large numbers and participated in our joy over Muhammad’s martyrdom.
Jason Maoz can be reached at [email protected]
