It is the blood of patriots that keeps nations alive. It is also the blood of leaders, and fighters that has been giving Hizbullah momentum and drawing its clear and evident path to God.

Two years ago, the "Israeli" Mossad assassinated Hizbullah's resistance commander martyr Imad Moghnieh (Hajj Redwan) in Damascus.

Hajj Redwan was the "architect" of the 2000 liberation of most of Lebanese territories from "Israel's" 22-year occupation and the pilot of Hizbullah in the Second Lebanon War, which not only survived a vicious "Israeli" aggression but also achieved a Divine Victory, he was the man who marked the beginning of "Israel's" end.

In a movement like Hizbullah, a resistance that chose death over humiliation, oppression and occupation it is not likely that the killing of its leaders and cadres will stop it.

This leader is the same person who caressed his children, and grandchildren, and awaited every chance to spend some time with his loving family.

And in the eyes of his daughter Fatima, like in the eyes of the rest of his children, he is their father, leader and pride.

Moqawama.org in this year's commemoration of the Leader's martyrdom, presents an exclusive interview with the Martyred Leader's Daughter Fatima Moghnieh, in which we shed light on Imad Moghnieh in the eyes of his children...

25 year old Fatima, mother of a boy and a girl speaks proudly of a father she longs for and wishes he had stayed longer.

Fatima, whose father was a leader of mystery, was a simple and humble father, even more like a friend. "My dad was like any other normal father. We were always in touch, and we had a very special relationship. We were more like friends and that was very special. I always sought advice from my father on the different aspects of my life; he was always there for me." She said.

Hajj Imad, like any other father, and despite the harsh lifestyle he had to live, was a caring father and followed up with his family even though not on daily basis, as he had to spend a lot of time away from home.

"I always called dad to ask him about issues related to my studies or school. He even sometimes sat with me for hours to explain and help me summarize my studies at times he was with us. Even recently before he attained martyrdom, he used to help me with my studies at college. He always encouraged us of pursuing education."

Fatima remembers that as little children at the beginning, she and her siblings did not really understand why he had to stay away for long times. But as grew older, they started to understand that their father sacrificed a lot even when alive.

"Daddy's absence used to affect us as little children, since we did not really understand the situation at the beginning. But later on as we grew, and after my father was martyred, we figured out that not only he sacrificed and waited this moment, but also selflessly sacrificed throughout his entire life. By the time we grew up and were able to understand the situation, no longer our concern was to have him near us, but we rather wanted him to be safe even if far away."

As I sat with the daughter of a leader, I was curious what does it feel like -among society- to be a daughter of such a martyred leader who became really famous after martyrdom, and if people treated her differently after that. Fatima felt more responsible in carrying a message that her father fought for, that of righteousness.

"I carry the intellect and concepts my father believed in and taught me. Today I proudly say I am the daughter of the Martyred Leader Imad Moghnieh, as I keep my promise to my father to fight for my right and for what is right, and to pass what he taught me to others in my life." Fatima said. 

Two years ago, the world was surprised as the personality which bewildered the world was revealed after his martyrdom. Back then, and during the moments people visited the family and congratulated them for the martyrdom of their father and leader, Fatima was never hesitant about her convictions and about the fact that her father is in a better place now and has achieved what he always wanted. But she thought her father should have stayed longer. "I was not expecting my father's martyrdom so soon. My siblings and I always imagined how things would go if daddy was martyred and we used to cry, but never it is we expected this to happen so soon."

She added "I always cherished and thought of martyrs, but now after my father's martyrdom, I feel with the children and families of the martyrs more. True it is that we are overwhelmed with amazing feelings of pride and dignity, but we miss them.

An incident Fatima cannot forget, only three days before her father's assassination.
"my parents were over for dinner on Tuesday. That night, unlike the usual daddy called me at the door before he left. I thought he had forgotten something in the living room or wanted to tell me something, but all he did was hug me, kiss me, and say good bye.
Even more, before he entered the elevator, he looked at me like never before, which made me really smile and wonder. After his martyrdom, this was the first incident that came to my mind, as if he were saying farewell."

She was daddy's girl. She still is, as martyrs are alive with us and among us. She misses him but believes he is around all the time. In her eyes, he is a leader, a father, a friend, and a one of a kind.

And at the end of our interview, Fatima says the only thing she can think of telling her father today after all the sacrifices and giving, and after all the accomplishments he achieved is...I love you and Thank You. These are words of love and gratitude to the loving father who is still part of Fatima's life as he has never departed, and as she believes she was lucky to have had him, and still have him as his soul watches upon her and protects her.

And so he was in his daughter's eyes, a hero.