Omar ibn Mukhtar ibn Omar Al-Manifi Al-Hilali (may Allah have mercy on him) was known as the "Shaykh of Martyrs'' and the "Lion of the Desert." He was born on the 10th of Muharram, 1275 AH / August 20th, 1858, in Batnan, Burqa, in the Green Mountain. He grew up as an orphan, as his father had passed away when he was young.

He gained fame for his unwavering stance against the Italian invasion of Libya, which he resisted for over twenty years with unshakable faith until he was captured and sentenced to death by hanging. His execution was a physical demise but a stronger revival of the spirit of resistance and sacrifice that ultimately led to the expulsion of Italian forces from the country.

He passed away with honor and dignity on the 3rd of Jumada Al-Awwal, 1350 AH / September 16th, 1931, at the age of approximately 73.