May 25, 2013
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Description
A martyr (Greek: μάρτυς, mártys, "witness"; stem μάρτυρ-, mártyr-) is somebody who suffers persecution and death for the people, a country or an organization, or refusing to renounce a belief, usually religious, political or rights.
In its original meaning, the word martyr, meaning witness, was used in the secular sphere as well as in the New Testament of the Bible. The process of bearing witness was not intended to lead to the death of the witness, although it is known from ancient writers (e.g. Josephus) and from the New Testament that witnesses often died for their testimonies.
During the early Christian centuries, the term acquired the extended meaning of a believer who is called to witness for their religious belief, and on account of this witness, endures suffering and/or death. The term, in this later sense, entered the English language as a loanword. The death of a martyr or the value attributed to it is called martyrdom.
(via Freebase)
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![Bahrainis hold 'Right to Self-Determination 13' rally [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-12031000/12031251/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=99e361404d609b6db348bff44b692b26)
![Thousands march to demand justice for massacre of Copts in Cairo [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-11969000/11969401/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=c8f8a8b0721d29df68bc188423d8a933 "Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany")
![Bahrain launches crackdown on funeral for activist who died in custody [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-11545000/11545253/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=e05f822bea5250fed5fdd60bc5d77a52 "Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed")
![Tens of thousands of Saudis mourn protestors killed in crackdown on opposition [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-11429000/11429507/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=41ab9fbb720de5cb69f6d9eeace50fc7)
![Saudi forces kill two during attempted arrest of fugitive [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-11213000/11213619/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=453bc32803d27fc731c2c471cdc42421)
![Bahrainis rally in solidarity with political prisoners sentenced to death [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-10657000/10657876/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=e1874356cac313784db65c616ef64f14 "Reuters/Benoit Tessier")
![Israeli forces kill six Palestinians in Gaza Strip [Al Jazeera, Qatar]](/images/image_cache/base-9963000/9963928/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=7aaa4a7da318a91c326df24a9ce26751)
![Bahrain regime forces attack mourners, several injured [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-9073000/9073760/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=a47bbb20f255b44ef153d29e70a853e3)
![Funeral held for Palestinian martyrs after 21 years [Palestine TV, Ramallah]](/images/image_cache/base-8686000/8686624/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=9a38834da85c7b9c7c9cb47368a41745)