By Sarah Saad
On Martyr’s Day, the sacrifices of the valiant heroes of the Armed Forces remain eternally engraved in the nation’s memory, while their spirits rise with pride in the hearts of their families.
Despite the pain of loss, mothers stand as pillars of resilience and honour, sharing the stories of their sons who selflessly gave their lives out to homeland’s defence.
Valiant hero who feared no terror
Mrs Hala Ismail, the mother of martyred Captain Omar Khaled Salama, recounts the story of her son — a young man who never saw himself as anything but an officer in the Armed Forces, devoted to protecting his country.
Her memory drifts back to the days of the June 30 Revolution in 2013 when Omar was in his final high school year.
He followed the unfolding events with intense interest and even participated in the demonstrations. When she urged him to return home and focus on his studies to fulfil his dream of joining the Faculty of Engineering, he responded with his familiar, reassuring smile: “Really, Mom? You see what’s happening, and you’re asking me to study engineering? I will join the Military Academy, God willing!”
Omar remained steadfast in his dream, eventually joining the Military Academy after achieving an impressive 97% record in high school. A devout reciter of the Holy Quran and a committed worshipper, his mother fondly remembers sharing recordings of his recitations and heartfelt prayers for Egypt during the Night of Destiny (Laylat al-Qadr).
Even after losing his father just three months before his graduation, Omar remained unwavering and strong, embracing every challenge with faith and acceptance.
“Mother, whatever comes from God is good,” he would always say — never questioning fate but always trusting in its wisdom.
Mission in Sinai… Martyrdom on a sacred day
Omar was one of the heroes of Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018, though he only revealed this to his mother shortly before his martyrdom. She often asked him about the updates she saw in military statements about the operation and the progress of the raids. With his usual calm smile, he reassured her:
“More than you can imagine, my mother. But we’ve secured you… Don’t worry, as long as we’re here, nothing bad will happen to you.”
On the Day of Arafat (the eve of Muslims’ major feast), Captain Omar was martyred while securing Al-Arish airport. He bravely intercepted two explosive-laden vehicles. As he returned, he engaged in a fire-fight before an explosive device went off, claiming his life.
Smiling officer who struck fear into terrorists
One of Omar’s comrades recalls, “Before every raid, he would provoke us with his smile. We’d ask him, ‘Why are you so happy, Omar?!’ He would reply, ‘If we return, we’ve completed our mission. If we don’t, we become martyrs. Either way, we win!’”
Among his fellow soldiers, he was known as “the smiling officer.” But among the terrorists, he was feared. They even nicknamed his armoured vehicle “The Ninja Vehicle” — a testament to his speed, agility, and stealth in manoeuvring unnoticed.
Legacy of goodness in life and death
After Omar’s martyrdom, his mother discovered the countless acts of kindness he had carried out in secret, including the construction of a house for a disabled orphaned girl. Moved by Omar’s generosity, his comrades insisted on completing the construction in his honour.
With pride, his mother says: “My son earned every honourable title, both in this life and the hereafter — the mischievous yet respectful student, the eloquent reciter of the Quran, the smiling officer, and most importantly, the heroic martyr.”
Sinai hero who bade farewell before departure
Mrs Karima, the mother of martyred Major Mohamed Ghoneim, fondly recalls her son’s love for Ramadan. He would always ask about his favourite dishes, yet he was rarely able to join them for iftars due to his army commitments.
Major Mohamed was highly discreet about his missions —so much so that his mother only learned he had been stationed in Sinai after his martyrdom.
Deeply loved by his colleagues, he spent the days before his final mission visiting friends, as if bidding them farewell.
In a light-hearted moment, he even asked a friend to take a picture with him, joking: “Come, take a photo… I might return to you as a martyr!”
Legacy of kindness and sacrifice
Major Mohamed was martyred during ‘Operation Martyr’s Right 4’, when an explosive device exploded. He left behind a mother filled with pride, but burdened with the pain of loss.
After his passing, she discovered the many secret acts of kindness he had done. One of the most touching stories came from the wife of a soldier who called to express her gratitude. Curiously, Mohamed’s mother asked how she had known her son. She explained that after giving birth, her husband had struggled to afford proper medical care for their child. Major Mohamed not only stood by him but also ensured the baby received the best treatment — going so far as to send a doctor friend to oversee the new-born’s healthcare.
A mother’s sole wish
“He was loyal and devoted to his parents — my son, my love, my friend, my brother… May no mother ever feel this pain, and may God grant victory to our Armed Forces,” she concluded.
Her only wish now is to visit Sinai — to walk on the same ground where her son once stood, fought, and sacrificed.
“Every grain of sand in Sinai is soaked with the blood of our sons. Where our martyrs fall, new life grows,” she said, longing for the chance to kiss the sacred soil of Sinai.
Living for goodness, martyred for homeland
Mrs ImanRagab, the mother of martyred officer Omar Khaled Abdel Sabour, speaks with pride and love about her eldest son — her companion and dearest one, as she describes him.
Abdel Sabour, a distinguished officer in the Armed Forces and part of the 110th class, took part in ‘Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018’. Among his comrades, he was known for his bravery and dedication. During one of the raids, destiny had set the moment of his martyrdom.
My eldest son… A man with a kind heart
His mother recalls his generosity and strong character, saying: “Omar was always compassionate with others. He cared deeply for the soldiers under his command, treating them as his own brothers.”
His compassion earned him the nickname “Father of the Soldiers” from his commanding officer — a testament to his kindness and dedication to those under his leadership.
A wish fulfilled
Martyrdom was always on Abdel Sabour’s lips, as if he sensed it drawing near. He would often pray: “O Allah, grant me the joy of meeting You… a wedding in Your paradise… an escort of angels… a bride from the maidens of heaven. O Allah, cleanse me with my own blood, let my uniform be my shroud, and bless me with martyrdom in Your cause.”
Concerned, his mother once shared this with a friend, who responded, “Your son is still young — don’t let him speak like that!” But she simply replied, “Martyrdom has always been my son’s dream.”
A hero’s final sacrifice
On the day of his martyrdom, Abdel Sabour was inside his armoured vehicle during a raid when a massive explosion occurred. Instead of seeking cover, he insisted on saving his comrades. He shielded them from the blast, sacrificing himself in the line of duty.
Farewell, Mother of Martyr
During his last visit home, Abdel Sabour looked at his mother and said: “Farewell, Mother of a Martyr.”
She never imagined those would be his final words. But they remain etched in her heart—just as his good deeds and honourable memory live on in the hearts of all those who knew him.
