Abbas Al-Sayyid is a Palestinian engineer and leader in Hamas. He was born in 1966 and grew up in Tulkarm, a city in the West Bank. Despite facing many challenges, Abbas became a symbol of determination and resilience. In this article, we will explore his life and accomplishments.
Early Life and Education
Abbas Al-Sayyid was born in Tulkarm on May 13, 1966. He experienced the setbacks caused by the 1967 war, which had a profound impact on his country. In April 1993, he married Ikhlas Al-Suwais and they had two children. Abbas was known for his love of learning and his constant desire to improve himself.
He completed his primary, preparatory, and secondary education in Tulkarm. He excelled in high school and was elected president of the Student Scientific Association. Abbas also played a significant role in establishing the Opinion and Other Opinion Club.
Abbas traveled to Jordan to pursue his university education at Yarmouk University. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1989. During his time in Jordan, he demonstrated strong leadership skills and was elected president of the Student Scientific Association for two consecutive terms.
Arrest and Imprisonment
Abbas Al-Sayyid's relation with Hamas caught the attention of Israeli intelligence. He was arrested in 2002 and sentenced to 35 life imprisonments and 100 years in prison. Despite being the most wanted by the occupation forces, he was not released in prisoner exchange deals.
Education in Prison
Even in prison, Abbas was determined to continue his education. He obtained a master's degree in two different specializations. In 2012, he completed a master's degree in regional studies from Saint Abu Dis University. His wife, sister, and son attended the graduation ceremony on his behalf.
In 2022, Abbas obtained another master's degree from the Da'wa University College of Islamic Studies in Beirut. His thesis focused on encrypted virtual currencies, specifically Bitcoin. Despite facing restrictions and challenges imposed by the Israeli prison administration, Abbas overcame them and achieved academic success.
Inspiring Resilience
Abbas Al-Sayyid's determination and resilience are truly inspiring. His wife faced difficulties in securing the books and references he needed for his studies. The prison administration-imposed restrictions on book deliveries, so his wife had to distribute books to other prisoners' families to pass them on to Abbas. She even had to change the covers and sizes of the books to bypass the restrictions.
The Resilient Prisoner
Abbas Al-Sayyid, a prisoner in Israel, faced severe torture in an attempt to force a confession from him. However, he remained strong and refused to confess to any charges. Instead, he found a way to inspire his fellow prisoners and frustrate his jailers by writing slogans on the cell wall. These slogans encouraged perseverance and discouraged confession. Abbas showed incredible resilience during his 19 months in prison.
A New Path
After his release from prison, Abbas Al-Sayyid decided to take a different path. He opened a refrigeration and air conditioning company and worked in repairing medical equipment in hospitals. However, his peaceful life was interrupted when the second intifada, known as the "Al-Aqsa Intifada," began in 2000.
Leader of the Resistance
During the "Al-Aqsa Intifada," Abbas Al-Sayyid became the leader of the Hamas movement in Tulkarm Governorate. He secretly led a network of military action groups in the area. He planned and executed several operations against Israel, challenging their attempts to eliminate the resistance.
Arrest and Trial
In 2002, an explosion occurred in the Park Hotel in Netanya, resulting in the death of 30 Israelis. Abbas Al-Sayyid was accused of being involved in this attack. Israel launched a massive operation to capture him and other members of Hamas. After months of pursuit, Abbas surrendered himself to the Israeli army.
Life Behind Bars
Abbas Al-Sayyid was sentenced to 35 life imprisonments and an additional 100 years. However, he did not let the prison walls break his spirit. He came up with innovative ideas to challenge despair and cruelty. He initiated a program called "Liberated Sperm," which allowed prisoners to smuggle their sperm to their wives, resulting in the birth of many children. He also created a "model room" in the prison to train future leaders.
Harassment and Resistance
In prison, Abbas Al-Sayyid faced harassment and abuse, including solitary confinement and assassination attempts. He refused to accept this mistreatment and used various means to object and resist. He went on a hunger strike to protest his isolation and ill-treatment, which eventually led to improvements in his conditions.
A Name Israel Refuses to Release
Despite numerous prisoner exchange deals, Israel has consistently refused to release Abbas Al-Sayyid. His name remains on the list of those whom Israel refuses to set free. His determination and resilience continue to inspire many.
Abbas Al-Sayyid's story is a testament to the power of determination and perseverance. Despite facing imprisonment, he continued to pursue his education and achieved remarkable success. His story serves as an inspiration to all those facing adversity, showing that with determination, anything is possible.
Source: Agencies + websites
