Name: Nidal Fat’hi Rabah Farahat                                                                 

Nickname: Abu Emad

Birth date: 8 April 1971

Martyrdom date: 16 February 2003

Hometown & Residence: Gaza City

Occasionally the name of a person is evident in the personality of its holder. And in Arabic that is referred to by, “he has a share of his name.” In the second week of April 1971, Mariam Farahat chose a name for her first born. And she chose “Nidal” (translated: struggle). The woman would become in her later years a symbol of sacrifice; and her Nidal would become a symbol for the struggle for the sake of Allah, and for freedom from occupation and subjugation.

Childhood and Education:

Mariam Farahat gave birth to her first child on 8 April 1971. She became “Um Nidal” directly after naming her son “Nidal.” The Farahat family lives in the Sheja’iya district, a densely-populated and conservative part of the city. Nidal grew up in a family that observed Islam as a way of life. And it was the mother and father who raised their children on the love of Allah and His prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him). And so, the family cared for their children and the local mosque contributed in educating them. Nidal was blessed with this. His formal education was completed in governmental schools. Nidal was a quiet student who was liked by his peers.

First Intifada:

Nidal was a member of the youth at the Islah mosque in Sheja’iya. And with them, he participated in the activities of the first Intifada. He was at the forefront of confrontations and demonstrations. And he took part in other organized activities. As the first Intifada came to an end, Nidal had been arrested 5 times by occupation forces. The last time he was arrested, he was sentenced for 3 years for membership in Hamas and assisting members of Al-Qassam Brigades.

Logistics & Support:

During the first intifada, the Farahat family provided a place of refuge for mujahideen pursued by occupation forces. The mujahideen found their peace and rest in the Farahat house, which welcomed them at any time. Nidal was charged with making logistic arrangements for the mujahideen that included housing, transportation, communication, and information gathering.

But that wasn’t without a price! The Farahat family house was destroyed by occupation forces following the martyrdom of Al-Qassam leader Emad Aqel, who was taking refuge in the house. Occupation forces surrounded the house; and Emad jumped from the second story of the house among the soldiers. After firing a few bullets from his handgun, Emad was martyred.Nidal was imprisoned for 3 years for his logistic and support role in Hamas’ military wing.

Al-Aqsa Intifada:

Soon after the eruption of Al-Aqsa Intifada, Nidal left his work and rejoined the ranks of Al-Qassam Brigades. The seasoned veteran was determined in his pursuit of the occupiers. He planned and carried out a number of operations targeting occupation forces on the eastern outskirts of Gaza City. The operations included ambushing armored patrols and planting landmines against occupation armored vehicles. And when Al-Qassam Brigades added mortars to their arsenal, Nidal was a regular member of teams assigned to firing mortars at occupation military outposts and settlements.

But Nidal’s dream was as large as his sense of sacrifice. He was the first to dream and realize the dream of Al-Qassam rockets. He dedicated his time, resources, and energy towards making the first Qassam rocket. And he succeeded. One day, he came to his mother saying, “Look mother, I’ve made a rocket.” The mother was surprised and held the small rocket in her hands. Then she prayed to Allah for her son and the mujahideen.

Nedal came to his mother saying " look mother , Allah help me to make a rocket " The mother was astonished and hold the small rocket and read some versed from the Quran on the rocket and asked Allah to protect the Jihad and Mujahedin in Palestine.

“Sheikh, I’ve assembled a rocket.”

Nidal went to meet the overall leader of Al-Qassam Brigades, Sheikh Salah Shehada. When he saw Sheikh Salah, Nidal said, “Sheikh, I’ve assembled a rocket.” Sheikh Salah was astonished and said, “Nidal, what are you saying?”

So, Nidal took the different rocket parts out of the handbag and assembled them in front of Sheikh Salah, who was very impressed. Nidal promised his commander to develop the rocket and make it stronger.

Soon afterwards, Al-Qassam had added another weapon to their arsenal. And the announcement came in a news conference with the masked Nidal informing the world that Al-Qassam Brigades have developed the “Qassam 1” rocket.

Nidal carried on with the rest of the manufacturing team and developed the “Qassam 2” rocket, which had a farther range and higher destructive ability than the first rocket. In addition, Nidal was a regular member of the firing squads that shelled occupation military outposts and settlements with rockets.

Unique Man & Fighter:

Nidal was a man of unique traits. He was a young man and a seasoned veteran in resisting the occupation in very adverse circumstances. He was involved in preparing explosives, making rockets, planning for operations, and carrying out resistance operations. His sacrifice for the sake of Allah was great.

Before sending Ahmad Isleem on an operation against the Kissofim military outpost, Nidal gave him his shirt and said, “Ahmad, take this shirt. Wear it when you attack the Zionists and beat me to paradise.” In addition, he gave Ahmad one of his hand grenades and told him to make it the first one thrown at the occupiers in order for him to share the reward on the Day of Judgment.

Whenever Nidal heard of an attack by occupation forces against a Palestinian town, he was at the forefront of resistance groups fighting the advancing forces.

Realizing another Ambitious Dream:

After the success of developing the first rockets in the arsenal of Al-Qassam Brigades, Nidal embarked on another ambitious venture: the development of the first unmanned air vehicle for Al-Qassam Brigades. He worked to assemble a remote-controlled unmanned air vehicle capable of carrying up to 20 kg. of explosives to bombard settlements and military outposts.

Nidal finished the first stage of work successfully and started the second stage. He requested some parts from a weapons dealer. However, the dealer was enlisted by occupation intelligence and supplied Nidal with bobby-trapped parts.

And on Sunday, 16 February 2003, Nidal sat around the newly-acquired parts in one of Al-Qassam workshops. Another group of engineers was in the workshop and they came around Nidal to watch.

The bobby-trap went off and Nidal together with 5 other members of Al-Qassam Brigades were martyred. Working to realize his dream of the first air force unit for Al-Qassam Brigades, Allah Almighty chose for Nidal for fulfill his dream of martyrdom.