Africa

List of Hizb ut-Tahrir activists martyred by Gaddafi

Gaddafi has a long history of brutal suppression and murder of Muslims in Libya. In light of recent events where hundreds of Muslims have been martyred by the Libyan regime we list some of those activists from Hizb ut-Tahrir who were martyred previously to show Gaddafi’s actions are nothing new. His oppression continued with the full support of Britain, America and the EU despite what they say now.

Mohammed M. Ramadan, 11 April, 1980, London. Journalist and announcer at BBC, Arabic section. Assassinated by Gaddafi operatives outside Regent Park mosque. Libyan regime refused him burial in Libya and returned the body to be buried in London. Two Libyans were tried for the crime and in Sep. ’80, sentenced to life in prison.

Mohammed M. Hfaf, 7 April 1983, Tripoli. Student. Imprisoned in April ’73, accused of membership in Islamic Liberation Party (Hizb ut-Tahrir). Ten years later, on 7 April ’83, executed by hanging in College of Engineering, Tripoli.

Abdallah A. al-Mesallati, April, 1983, Tripoli. Student. Arrested on April 16, 1973, charged with membership in Islamic Liberation Party (Hizb ut-Tahrir), sentenced to prison. Retried by Revolutionary Courts, sentenced to death, and executed in Tripoli Central Prison.

Abdul Aziz al-Gharably, April, 1983, arrested. Student, Tripoli. Suspected of membership in political party. Died in Jan. ’84 as a result of torture and lack of medical care.

Hasan A. al-Kurdi, April 1983. Arrested among hundreds in Spring ’73. In June, accused with nine others of membership in Islamic Liberation Party and of writing articles opposing the regime. On 7 Dec. ’73, the Revolutionary Council issued resolution to stop the courts and release the accused. Re-arrested on the same day and held without trial until Feb. ’77, sentenced to 15 years in prison, days later, the sentence increased to life imprisonment. Executed in prison without trial, April 1983.

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى accept them as shuhada and even if some Muslims forget their sacrifices, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will not, nor the countless more Muslims who were disappeared, imprisoned, tortured and killed.

This list is excerpted from more extensive list in al-Inqadh Magazine, Vol. 10, Issue No. 37, September 1991, Pages 80-105, published by Libyan opposition group NFSL.

Gadaffi carried out a personal crusade against Hizb ut-Tahrir ever since the Party sent a delegation to discuss with him his denial of the validity of the ahadith of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. After four hours of discussion wherein they proved that the ahadith were a source of Sharia like the Quran, the Party distributed reports of the discussion. So incensed was Gaddafi that he murdered thirteen members; they were hanged in universities and schools in front of their teachers, pupils and families. One of them was brought down still alive, he was hung a second time, then they tied his body to the back of a car which was driven in full view of his family and sons. See: Communiqué from Hizb ut-Tahrir to Colonel Gaddafi (1978)

May Allah grant the martyrs the highest place in Jannah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

سَيِّدُ الشُّهَدَاءِ حَمْزَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ المُطَّلِبِ وَ رَجُلٌ قَامَ إِلَى إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ فَأَمَرَهُ وَ نَهَاهُ فَقَتَلَهُ

“The master of the martyrs is Hamza ibn Abdul Mattalib, and a man who stands (in front of) an oppressive ruler and enjoins the good and forbids the evil and so is killed for it.” [Haakim]