“I love
Gaza very much and I wish if I could live my entire life here,” said Ruqia
Hussein Dumir, a 26-year old Turkish student in Gaza, telling the story of why
she chose Gaza to do her post-graduate studies, and exclude the world’s most
advanced countries from her plans.
Ruqia broke the norm in Gaza, which says studying outside is better for
the students of Gaza, a view shared by many of her classmates who wish to study
outside Gaza and especially in Turkey, after hearing about the good quality of
education there.
Childhood Dream
Since her childhood, Ruqia, who belongs to a conservative family from
Deyar Baker city in Turkey, has always dreamed of visiting Palestine and Gaza
city, she told the PIC reporter, adding that her dream came true after she
arrived in Gaza, a city which she always watched on TV, and was a symbol for
suffering and patience.
To achieve her dream, Ruqia got an exceptional permission from the
Turkish Embassy in Cairo to study in Gaza, and by doing so she became the first
Turkish student to study in Gaza, in an exceptional message of love for a city
that has not yet recovered from the consequences of three wars and 10-year long
siege.
Ruqia felt so happy after she managed to get into Gaza after obtaining a
permit from her embassy in Cairo, a happiness that was completed after she was
able to register for post-graduate studies in the field of Societal
Psychological Studies at the Islamic University of Gaza.
The Turkish student speaks of the warm reception she has received from
the administration of the Islamic University of Gaza, for the help provided to
her to finally get admitted to the university.
Family’s Fear
Ruqia has started her academic life in Malaysia where she completed her
first degree at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). She
chose to do her post-graduate studies in Gaza after consulting some of her
friends, an idea which was not easy to accept by her own family.
She adds with a smiley face, “My family was hesitant and felt worried
after I told them about my plan to come to Gaza, because they think Gaza is
only about wars. But after I insisted and following making a prayer, I managed
to convince them to let me come to Gaza, and I was thrilled after they agreed.”
One of the funny situations Ruqia likes to mention is that her mother
always calls to check on her, especially with the continuing threats of wars on
Gaza. I told my mother, “Death is the fate of all humans be it in Gaza or
Istanbul.We are Muslims and if I die in Gaza it will be a great honor for me.”
Arabic Language
Ruqia speaks Turkish in addition to mastering English and other
languages, and she still finds it difficult to speak the slang language of
Gaza, yet she overcomes this problem by speaking standard Arabic.
She mentioned, “At the first class at IUG, the lecturer spoke Arabic and
English, and he used to repeat the lesson for me in English which helped me
understand and improve my Arabic language.”
Life in Gaza
Among things that make Ruqia happy is that her expectations were almost
identical to what she found in Gaza, including people’s love and respect, a
thing that made being away from her home less difficult, making her say, “The
nature of life in Gaza is better than that of Turkey and other countries.
People here know and love each other more.”
Ruqia maintains good relationship with her classmates and their
families, stressing, “They always want me to stay and eat with them, and food
is very delicious. Many things available in Turkey could also be found here.”
Based on her experience, she is not happy with the stereotype image
about Gaza all over the world, as a place of war and destruction, adding with
passion, “Gaza is a land of love and peace, and people here love foreigners,
and love to stay with them.”
The Turkish-Palestinian student, as she likes to be described, wishes to
continue living in Gaza, adding: “Life here is similar to that of Istanbul and
it is cheaper and easier.” She does not feel worried because she lives in Gaza
and she concludes by saying, “Gaza is a beautiful place and a safe city.”
