Mother of Shahid (Martyr for Allah) gives gun to next son [PA TV Sept 13 -14, 2004]

Some of the most prominent violence and Martyrdom promotion clips are returning to PA TV. Last week PMW reported on the return of the infamous "Farewell Letter" clip - which teaches children to aspire Shahada (Martyrdom for Allah) from the child's perspective - because "Shahada is sweet". (See bulletin) PA TV has now started re-broadcasting an old clip which glorifies killing, violence and Shahada - this time coming from the mother's perspective.

In the video clip five civilian [non-uniformed] gunmen, armed with automatic rifles, go off to attack Israelis. One of the gunmen is seen running towards Israeli fire until he attacks the Israelis with a hand grenade, after which, in slow motion, he is shot and falls dead to the ground.

When his body is brought to his mother she kisses him and raises her hand above her mouth and calls out the traditional Arab call of joy. Afterwards, she stoically hands the rifle to the next in line, presumably also her next son, to continue fighting and dying.

To view the PA TV clip click here

For years the Palestinian Authority has been using its media outlets both to encourage children to seek heroic Shahada death, while encouraging parents to express joy at having their children die Shahada death. These two clips airing now are complimentary. The "Farewell Letter" clip, being broadcast almost daily, is from the child's perspective, expressing his desire to die in which he explicitly tells his mother in his letter to be joyous: "Mother don't cry over me, be joyous over my blood". The other one is from the mother's perspective - expressing her joy over her child's Shahada death.

Many mothers have been interviewed on PA TV explaining why they are joyous over their son's Shahada death. Varied reasons are given, and these interviews may be viewed on the PMW site. Some of the reasons expressed by mothers include:

1. It brings honor to all the family members "People say -'There is the mother of the Shahid'..."

2. A mother wants the best for her son, and as a Shahid he achieves the maximum. Also Allah wills he go on Jihad.

3. He had no one to marry in this world so he wanted to marry the 72 "dark eye maidens" of Paradise.