By, Tanasiya
GOMBAK, 19 November 2024: A significant achievement was witnessed in the fourth session of the 40th IIUM Convocation Ceremony, on 18 November at IIUM Gombak as the university conferred a degree on a graduand from Gaza, Maisara A A Alhamss. It was indeed a proud moment for her family.
Maisara’s choice to study Fiqh and Usul-ul-Fiqh was spurred by her experience growing up in Gaza, where she witnessed the importance of justice and ethics in navigating the challenges of war, hardship, and occupation. “My goal has always been to contribute in creating a positive impact in my society by using the knowledge and insights gained through my studies,” said Maisara in an exclusive interview with IIUMToday.
Coming from a war-torn land Maisara’s journey to earning her bachelor’s degree was not an easy one. Amid the devastating war that is on-going in Gaza, Maisara faced immense loss, where she tragically lost her brother Hamza and many other loved ones. The war also destroyed her family home. All these devastating losses intensified by being far from home. “I constantly found myself torn between focusing on my studies in Malaysia and dealing with the overwhelming stress from knowing that my family and community were suffering back home,” shared Maisara.
Even though her suffering was unbearable and intense Maisara persevered not only for herself but for her two daughters, Nada, and Raghad. Her younger daughter, Raghad, was born during her study at the IIUM, which gave her the bigger responsibility of balancing between the roles of being a mother and student. “Balancing motherhood with academic obligations was a significant challenge that required careful time management and constant dedication,” said Maisara. During these tough times, her husband was a pillar of support, standing by her side and helping her through the challenges. He was also the one who encouraged her to study at the IIUM in the first place.
With the war going on in Gaza, her financial support from her family was also cut off, which added yet another layer to the multitude of challenges she was already facing. The support of her family and friends had helped Maisara to persevere amidst the challenges and continue her degree. She also found great support from her university and the local community in Malaysia. In addition, she drew even greater strength from her unwavering faith.
Despite the immense challenges, Maisara realized the importance of education. “While education has been a lifeline for me, the challenges I’ve faced—from losing financial support during times of war to balancing my studies with the emotional toll of family suffering—have highlighted the transformative power of knowledge. Education represents light in the midst of darkness and gives me the strength to continue despite the overwhelming challenges,” said Maisara.
Her journey, though incredibly difficult, has shaped her into a stronger person and helped her realize the strong and unifying force of Islam. The unity displayed by the Muslim IIUM community has reinforced her belief in what she described as, “the strength of Islam in bringing people together for shared goals regardless of their origins.”
Lastly, this is not the end of Maisara’s educational journey. She is planning to pursue her master’s degree, carrying the same perseverance that has defined her path so far.***
