Omar Mukhtar — A Life of Dignity

Omar Mukhtar — The Lion of the Desert. Image by Italian colonial administration of Libya [1] — Dirk Vandevalle: A history of modern Libya. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press 2012, p. 31, Public Domain,

What sets apart strong leaders from weak ones? Uplifting ones from those who are oppressive? Those who inspire trust instead of hate and scorn? What do those great leaders have in common?

The answer lies in their character.

Unwavering moral conduct, impressive strength of character, and the ability to sacrifice their own interests for the good of their people. Those rulers act for the greater good with integrity and courage.

In their fight against oppression, they fight for their rights, their lands, their freedom, and their lives. They do not try to gain power or prestige for their own sake, but they use their influence to bring about change for the better.

Above all, they are wise. They know the value of human life — even if that life happens to be that of their enemy.

A great example of a revolutionary who is a great example of moral virtue is Omar Mukhtar. He was a Libyan teacher who became a leader leading his people to fight the Italian invasion in 1911 when Italy invaded Libya under the rule of Mussolini.

Using his knowledge of the desert and being gifted with a brilliant and strategic mind, Omar Mukhtar organized successful guerrilla attacks against the Italian troops in the desert for twenty years until he was captured.