Hamas MP Khalil Al-Hayya Hands His Grandchildren Ahmed Yassin's 'Sword of Liberation' in Ceremony Marking Organization's 29th Anniversary

In a ceremony marking the 29th anniversary of the establishment of Hamas, Khalil Al-Hayya, a Hamas MP and a member of the organization's political bureau, called his grandchildren to the stage in order to hand over the sword of the Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin, saying that it is "the sword of da'wa, of liberation, and of victory." The ceremony was broadcast by Al-Aqsa TV on December 15.

Khalil Al-Hayya: There is a story behind the beginning [of Hamas]. It begins with the founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, may Allah have mercy upon him, and reunite us with him in the seat of justice alongside the Almighty King. Allah bestowed upon me the honor of being ushered into the [Hamas] movement at the hands of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.

Al-Hayya reaches over to a man sitting in a wheelchair dressed in the style of Ahmad Yassin and takes a sword from his lap.

I have a story to tell about our Sheikh and his sword. It began with this sword and will end, Allah willing, with the sword of victory, of might, and of da'wah. We shall bear this sword of bravery and honor one generation after another. This sword of victory will be borne by one who is willing to pay the price for taking the path.

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I will, of course, pass this sword down to the next generation, in a moment. I will pass it down to the next generation, which will safeguard it as we did, out of the sense of commitment and loyalty with which they are entrusted – a generation of men, women, boys and girls.

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I ask my honorable wife, Umm Osama, mother of martyrs, along with the children of Osama, to come up to the stage, to be entrusted with the sword and the responsibility that comes with it. This sword is the sword of da'wa and victory, which has been borne by me and my wife, Umm Osama, mother of martyrs, a model of the Jihad-fighting and preserving, pious Palestinian woman. We shall pass it down to the next generation of men, women, boys, and girls. It will be carried by Abu Al-Rahman and Amal. Go ahead… Hold it… This is the sword, and this is the symbol of the current stage. One generation follows another. The founding generation leaves in its wake a generation of men and cadres. Here is our Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, in the wake of whose pledge we tread, and the generation of victory will move toward victory and liberation, Allah willing. Assalaam Alyakum. Allah's blessing and mercy upon you.

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