Tech blog

Some may believe that powerful messages require lengthy statements and complex official wording — but my experience proved otherwise. The simplest message can move hundreds, inspire dozens, and lead to the mobilization of vast resources. At a critical moment, we found ourselves facing an undeniable truth: national responsibility at its hardest.

Most residents of Tripoli know what happened on May 12 and 13, 2025 — what I call “the harsh days of May.” They were heavy, unprecedented days in the modern history of the city. Life came to an almost complete standstill, and the capital suffered massive destruction. The Libya Build exhibition site collapsed, and major landmarks were struck — the Corinthia Hotel was hit directly, and the Dahat Al-Imad Towers and other vital buildings in the heart of Tripoli were severely damaged.

On the afternoon of May 13, I went on a field tour despite the tense situation, then returned in the evening to check on the safety of the Libyan Technology Foundation’s headquarters. I also visited the Libya Build site, which was barely operating that day on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street — just hours before the violent clashes of that night caused widespread devastation.

On May 15, I took another tour of the most affected streets. The scene was shocking — destruction, fires, ruins, and despair hanging in the air. Sadness prevailed everywhere, and the overall feeling was one of hopelessness.

After these events, the Foundation’s management and members held what we called the “post-shock meeting” on Friday, May 16, 2025, at a nearby café. The discussion was chaotic; disbelief and confusion dominated the room. No one truly understood the magnitude of what had happened — or how to move forward.

When Sunday came, our first official workday at the Foundation’s headquarters after the crisis, attendance was modest — but the questions were monumental:

• We had a major national event — the National Technology Day — in just two weeks. Could we still hold it?
• Should we postpone?
• Should we risk proceeding amid fears of renewed clashes?
• What if the Corinthia Hotel canceled bookings?
• What if sponsors withdrew?
• What if a curfew was imposed?
• Should we cancel Tripoli’s event and continue in other cities?

What stuck in my mind most was when one of the administrators said, “There’s a big chance we’ll lose.”

My response was firm: “We didn’t establish this Foundation to profit.”

The Moment of Decision

The scene was grim. Stagnation had replaced the once-bustling activity that resembled a beehive. Preparations for cities, celebrations, and forums were all at risk:

• The Informatics Governance Forum
• The Cybersecurity Summit
• The Developers’ Summit
• And more than 70 local sites across Libya that were scheduled to participate in the National Technology Day.

The Message That Changed Everything

On the morning of Monday, May 19, 2025, I left my home at 9 a.m., weighed down by responsibility. I drank one coffee after another, thinking deeply. As the Chairman of the Board — the founder — I was accountable to sponsors, partners, cities, and our entire team.

I decided to write a short message in the Foundation’s general discussion group. I expected readers to advise me to stop or delay things. But what happened exceeded all expectations:

• The entire team mobilized like an army that same day.
• The implementation company, which had agreed to install 10 roadside banners, ended up installing 24 banners across Tripoli — purely out of motivation and belief.
• Event venues, including the Corinthia Hotel, opened their doors despite the difficult circumstances.
• Sponsors trusted the youth and continued their support with confidence.

That short message became the spark that reignited a national project that was about to collapse under the weight of crisis.

The Event and Its Message

In my speech on June 1, 2025, I said a line I’ll never forget:

“These are young people who did not carry weapons — they carried smartphones and devices, celebrating technology and technological awareness across Libya.”

Choosing to move forward with the event was an investment in hope — a direct stand against the despair that followed those tragic days. It was not an easy choice, but it was the right and courageous one.

The May 2025 experience was not just a temporary crisis; it was a historical turning point in the journey of the Libyan Technology Foundation. It proved that we are capable of working under the hardest conditions — that we are not merely a technological institution, but a social movement that builds hope and restores confidence.

My trust in the team was boundless, and the outcome was a national event that transcended technology, becoming a message of resilience — that Libya can live, even in its darkest moments.