Before sentencing Omar al-Mukhtar to death, the Italian judge asked him: — Did you fight against the Italian state? Omar al-Mukhtar: Yes. — Did you encourage people to fight against the Italian state? Omar al-Mukhtar: Yes. — How many years did you fight against Italy? Omar al-Mukhtar: About 20 years. — Do you regret what you did? Omar al-Mukhtar: No. — Do you know that you will be executed? Omar al-Mukhtar: Yes. Surprised, the judge said: — It is very sad for a man like you to meet such an end… Omar al-Mukhtar replied: — On the contrary! This is the most beautiful way for my life to end. The judge then offered to acquit him and send him into exile if he wrote a declaration ordering the resistance fighters to end their struggle. Omar al-Mukhtar responded with his famous words: “These fingers, which testify in every prayer that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger, can never write anything false! We do not surrender: we either win or die. Even if we die, we win, while you lose. The bitter truth is that you will understand this only when you die—and by then, it will be of no use to you!”