Remembering Seraj: The Legacy of Abbas Ra’d and Lebanon’s Sacrifice for Gaza
Honouring the Martyrs of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm and the Enduring Lessons of Devotion and Courage
Since the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, Lebanon has stood firmly alongside the people of Gaza, entering the conflict from the second day in a show of solidarity with the oppressed. Over the past ten months, this commitment has come at a heavy price: approximately 500 devoted Lebanese fighters have lost their lives in the ongoing struggle.
Among these martyrs was Abbas Ra’d, known by Seraj. On November 23, 2023, Seraj was killed in an airstrike by the Israeli military on a house in the village of Beit Yahoun in southern Lebanon. His sacrifice, like that of so many others, has left a profound mark on his community and the broader resistance movement.
In his own words, Seraj reflected deeply on the responsibility that comes with witnessing the lives and sacrifices of great leaders and martyrs.
“We weren’t present at the time of Imam Khomeini, but God will ask us about him,” he said. “He will also ask us about Sayyed Abbas and what we learnt from him when we witnessed his words, humility, wisdom, strength, and courage. But I didn’t learn anything from him.”
He continued,
“God will ask us about Sheikh Ragheb and every martyr and brother who had been with us. What did you learn from him? How did you benefit from him sacrificing his blood? What did you learn from his last breath? What did you do? What changed inside you?”
Seraj’s father, a member of the Lebanese Parliament, spoke movingly in his first interview after his son’s death.
“He got ahead of me, he was smarter than me and he was faster than me,” he said, expressing both pride and sorrow at his son’s sacrifice.
In another reflection, he added,
“A martyr is called a martyr because he has fought on the path of God, and he has fought for the dignity of others and the good of others. The martyrs of Gaza are a proof to be seen by all of humanity.”
A Life of Service and Faith
Beyond the battlefield, Abbas Ra’d’s life was marked by devotion, humility, and service to others. Short videos captured him participating in the Arbaeen walk, a journey of faith and solidarity undertaken by millions of pilgrims each year.
He was also a regular participant in the Majalis, the gatherings held to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his companions. These gatherings were not just rituals for Seraj; they were opportunities to reflect, to learn, and to strengthen his commitment to the values of justice, sacrifice, and compassion.
The Enduring Legacy
The legacy of Abbas Ra’d, and of all those who have fallen, is not only in their sacrifice but in the questions they leave behind for the living: What have we learned from their example? How have their sacrifices changed us? And what will we do in response to their ultimate act of devotion? Their memory endures as a call to conscience and a testament to the enduring struggle for justice and dignity.
Through his words, his actions, and his ultimate sacrifice, Seraj continues to inspire those who seek to walk the path of faith, service, and resistance. His life reminds us that true martyrdom is not only found on the battlefield, but also in the everyday acts of kindness, humility, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.
Source: Ali Reza Panahian