14/03/2006Gaza-Palestine, Maryam Mohammad Yousif Farahat., also referred to as Umm Nidal, is a popular Hamas parliamentary member and is identified by many as the "mother of martyrs. Farahat was captured on video in 2002 encouraging her son Mohammed to sacrifice his life for jihad. She was quoted telling her son not to return home unless he was a martyr. On March 7, 2002, Farahat's son infiltrated the former Gaza Jewish community of Atzmona, killing 5 Israeli teenagers and wounding 23 others. Mohammed was shot dead after opening fire on the students and throwing hand grenades at the school where they were studying. In a December 2005 interview, Farahat said that she has prepared all of her sons for jihad for the sake of Allah. Upon hearing of Mohammed's death she proclaimed 'Allah Akbar' in appreciation. Rather than cry for her loss. PHOTO:ALFRED