They All Have One Thing in Common... Martyrdom!

Fatima Haydar

To thee who has endowed himself to God leaving behind this mundane world and those who grovel over it... you surely have obeyed Allah and his holy messenger [PBUH]...

In the memory of all the brave martyrs of the Islamic Resistance who had fallen for the sake of True Islam... May you always be remembered... I dedicate this to you...

Kassem Shamkha and Alaa Nejmeh are just two of many who were joined together by the same cause: repelling the Takfiri enemy and safeguarding our borders against any usurper.

At first glance, the two appear to have nothing in common given the 5-year age difference. But upon unearthing details about their lives, one comes to the conclusion that they are not that different after all!

It is the drive of martyrdom that pushes our youth to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their countries and for everything holy and sacred.

However, it is not easy for any parent, sibling or friend to lose a loved one. But what consoles them is the fact that their beloved was fighting for their protection and well-being as well as fulfilling God's will:

{Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah: of them some have completed their vow [to the extreme], and some [still] wait: but they have never changed [their determination] in the least} - the Holy Quran: Surat Al-Ahzaab, Verse 23.

Less than a week ago, a professional 19-year-old Lebanese footballer lost his life fighting against terrorist Takfiri forces in Syria's Aleppo province.

Kassem Shamkha was born in the southern Lebanese village of Burj Qallawiyah in 1997 and grew up in Burj al-Barajneh, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs.

The late footballer previously played for al-Ahed Sport Club, which competes in Lebanon's top soccer division.

When asked about Shamkha, al-Ahed's club Secretary General Mohammad Assi described the club's former midfielder as "a talented player with huge potential for the club and for Lebanon, but he chose the route of 'jihad'."

"He will go down in history in the club's records, because he was a hero on the football field just like on the battlefield in defense of the homeland," Assi added.

Kassem Shamkha's name has alos been enshrined in the memories of his peers and coaches.

"With great pride and honor, al-Ahed football club announces the beloved, proud martyr Kassem Shamkha was martyred while defending our nation [and] our land from the terrorists Takfiri tide. Congratulations on fulfilling your wish, Kassem," the footballer's club said in a message posted on their official Facebook page.

The outpouring support stretched beyond Lebanon's borders.

The Italian Mondo Ultra website wrote: "the Lebanese footballer Kassem Shamkha lost his life in Syria's Aleppo front. He favored to fight voluntarily with his peers in Hizbullah instead of thinking about his career... Glory to him!"

The Italian website correctly used the word "voluntarily". Kassem comes from a relatively wealthy family and enjoyed tempting offers of stardom abroad.

"As his football skills grew, I offered him to travel abroad and tryout for a number of Spanish clubs with whom I am bound by friendship and a mutual relationship," Kassem's older brother, Samir said.

He went on to say that Kassem refused the whole thing "just because he loves to live in Lebanon and defend our homeland."

"I've always taken pictures with him as my inner feeling was telling me that one day, Kassem will leave us... Though, I refused to believe it!" Samir sighed.

The stadiums will miss you dear Kassem... you were always there for your team, cheering with all your heart... a passionate supporter and a motivator for the Yellow Team!

From the soccer fields to the fields of society and social media... Alaa Nejmeh - a 24 year-old Facebook activist, scout leader, amateur actor and graphic designer was martyred battling the Takfiri terrorists.

Alaa was born in the southern village of Adloun on January 8th, 1992 and grew up in al-Kharayeb, another southern city.

Martyr Alaa grew up as an orphan and soon became the father to his 3 brothers and sister.

Although orphaned, Alaa was not broken hearted. On the contrary, he was a loving optimist with a healthy hopeful appetite for life.

Alaa was popular and loved among his community. "He has a village of friends," one of his closest friends described the martyr.

The young man fancied photography and designing in addition to acting and directing.

With his handsome looks and attractive smile, Alaa would have been a "big shot" someday had he picked this path.

But, he, who has been nurtured by a family that strongly believes in the concept of Resistance, chose the afterlife through Jihad leaving behind the avaricious materialistic life and its temptations.

At times, he received various job offers from the Iranian TV industry, but he rejected them all for the sake of the Resistance and martyrdom.

The conservative but up-to-date martyr encouraged the use of social media such as Facebook. He was also among the forerunners of "soft war".

He used his computer skills to photoshop images of his fellow martyrs and post them on "Ascension of Martyrs" Facebook page that he created in their honor.

Alaa was a leader at al-Mahdi Scouts who enjoyed working with and instructing children. Apart from being a father to his own siblings, he also became the father figureto the children of his martyred companions attending to their needs.

Following his departure, social networking sites were flooded with an outpouring ofcondolences. Some congratulating the heroism of Alaa. While others, recalled moments with the martyrs and their friends.

His mother, dressed in white - fulfilling the wishes of her son - held a framed photograph of Alaa, bode him farewell and accompanied him to his last resting place.

Indeed, we come from dust and to dust we shall return, but {Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord} - the Holy Quran: Surat Al Imraan, Verse 169.

We weep the heartache of separation...

Sleep tight O' hero...

We promise to be as you desired us to be...

We will be where we should be...

Blessed be the martyrs...

Source: Al-Ahed News