In 1879, a simple Egyptian peasant woman named Mubarka Khafaji from a village in Kafr El-Sheikh married a farmer, Ibrahim Atta, who worked for daily wages. Due to financial hardship, he divorced her even though she was in the final months of her pregnancy.
Mubarka moved with her mother and brother to Alexandria, where she gave birth to her son, Ali Ibrahim Atta. She made a firm decision to do everything possible to raise and educate him in the best way.
She had countless reasons to despair and grow bitter toward men, but she did not. She could have forced her son into child labor selling tissues at traffic lights, but instead she worked as a cheese seller in the streets of Alexandria to support him.
She enrolled her son Ali in the Ras El-Tin Primary School. After he completed primary education, his father came to take him away to make him work with only a basic certificate.
But Mubarka’s dreams were much greater. She secretly moved her son from the roof of her house to the neighboring roof and fled with him to Cairo, enrolling him in the Khedivial School in Darb El-Gamamiz. She worked for a family in order to fund his education.
Ali excelled in his studies and was admitted to medical school in 1897, graduating in 1901.
Fifteen years later, Sultan Hussein Kamel fell seriously ill, and doctors were unable to diagnose his condition. Dr. Othman Ghaleb suggested the name of Dr. Ali Ibrahim. He successfully performed a critical surgery, after which he was appointed as the Sultan’s chief surgical consultant and personal physician, receiving the title of "Bey."
In 1922, King Fouad I granted him the title of "Pasha."
In 1929, Dr. Ali Pasha Ibrahim became the first Egyptian dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Fouad I University (Cairo University). He later became the university’s president.
In 1940, he was appointed Minister of Health. In the same year, he founded the Egyptian Medical Syndicate and became its first president. He also served as a member of the Egyptian Parliament.
His mother was: An uneducated, rural, divorced peasant woman.
Yet she raised a son who changed history.
The reform of any society begins with a mother.
Salute to every mother who is a true school of life.
Late Ali Kwara, the Hero Northern Forest…
Ali Kwara wore no official uniform, yet his name struck fear into the hearts of criminals.
Ali Kwara, popularly known as Alhaji Ali Muhammad Kwara, was a renowned son of Bauchi State from Azare town in Katagum Local Government Area. He became famous across Northern Nigeria for his bravery in combating armed robbers, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
Throughout his life, Ali Kwara worked as a hunter and collaborated closely with security agencies such as the police and military in tracking down criminals in forests and remote areas. On many occasions, he led operations and assisted the government in arresting notorious offenders and recovering weapons from the hands of criminals.
He became especially prominent in northern states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Zamfara, and other areas, where he ventured deep into forests to track bandits, disrupt their activities, and help bring them to justice. His courage earned him nicknames such as “The Forest Hero” and “Thief Catcher.”
For over 20 years, Ali Kwara worked alongside security agencies, helping to identify and apprehend criminals before handing them over to the police for prosecution. Although he was not an official government security officer, he dedicated his life to fighting insecurity.
Ali Kwara was not only a crime-fighting hero but also a philanthropist. In his hometown of Azare, he provided food for the less privileged, supported orphans and widows, and assisted needy families without asking for anything in return.
For many years, he ventured into forests in pursuit of criminals, helping security personnel arrest offenders and recover weapons.
He was not only a hero in the fight against crime but also a benefactor to the poor, orphans, and widows within his community.
One remarkable story often told about him was that whenever bandits heard he was operating in their area, they would flee or disperse because of the fear his name inspired and the reputation he had built through his bravery.
Eventually, he faced a serious illness and passed away on November 6, 2020, in Abuja after a period of medical treatment. His body was returned to Azare, where a funeral attended by large crowds, governors, and prominent figures was held in his honor.
Ali Kwara left behind a powerful legacy in Nigeria’s security sector, and many believe that few have matched his impact since his death. Numerous people regard him as someone who played a significant role in reducing insecurity across Northern Nigeria. To this day, his name continues to live on in the hearts of many as a true hero.
Ali Kwara was a champion who made important contributions to maintaining security during a period when armed robbery and banditry posed serious challenges to the country. Although not everyone fully understood the extent of his contributions, the history of his work remains an inspiration to those committed to justice, public safety, and service to their communities.
May Allah forgive him and grant him mercy. 🙏🏼
I have no backup plan in life. I made dua to the same rabb that cooled the fire for Ibrahim. The one who didn’t let a knife cut through Ismail. The rabb who gave Maryam a child as a virgin. Their rabb is my rabb, and with a little dua and yaqeen, no backup plan is needed bi’ithnillah. Ya Hasib, make me content with your plan for me. Suffice me in my worries.