Elderly Palestinian celebrates graduation at age of 85

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Dropped out of school decades ago, elderly Palestinian Jihad Battu has managed to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Islamic Sharia at the age of 85.

The Palestinian woman was born in 1936 in the West Bank city of Nablus, amid a Palestinian uprising demanding an end to Jewish migration to Palestine.

She was named Jihad by her family, an Arabic name meaning struggle or fight against the enemy.

Jihad attended school in her hometown of Mujaydil near Nazareth city until 1948, when Palestinians experienced mass expulsion from their homes and towns under attacks from Jewish gangs.

The same year also saw her mother's illness, forcing the little girl to drop out of school.

In 1954, Jihad got married and gave birth to five children. However, her passion to study and learn has never died. She managed to take several language courses in Arabic, English and Hebrew, as well as courses in mathematics.

At the age of 81, the old Palestinian woman was still full of enthusiasm for studying. She decided to enroll in a college to obtain a university degree and wear a graduation robe.

In an interview with a local website, Jihad said she chose to study Islamic Sharia for her love and commitment to the Islamic traditions and rules.

"I studied hard and for long hours during the night,” the Palestinian woman said.

At the age of 85, Jihad saw her dream coming true by obtaining her bachelor’s degree, and wearing a graduation robe.

"I will teach what I studied to the people around me. What is the benefit of science if I keep it for myself only, I want to teach others so they can benefit as well," the 85-year old said.