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February 16, 2016 Special Dispatch No. 6309

Palestinian Education Ministry Holds Memorial For Female Student Killed After Carrying Out Stabbing Attack

February 16, 2016
Palestinians | Special Dispatch No. 6309

On February 14, 2016, the Hebron Education and Culture Administration, which is part of the Palestinian Education Ministry, held a memorial ceremony for 18-year-old Kalzar Al-'Awiwi, a student at the Widad Nasser Al-Din Secondary School, who was killed the previous day after she stabbed a soldier near the Tomb of the Patriarchs.[1] The administration also posted an obituary for her on its Facebook page, referring to her as a "martyr" and announcing the details of her funeral. 

 
The obituary and funeral announcements on the Education and Culture Administration's Facebook page (source: Facebook.com/hebroneducation, February 13, 2016)

The memorial, held in Al-'Awiwi's classroom and in the schoolyard, was led by Hebron Education and Culture Administration director Sami Mroua, and was attended by officials in the administration, members of the school board and staff, and the entire student body. The PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida covered the event, and photos of it were published by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

At the event, the opening verse of the Koran was read, to accompany the souls of Al-'Awiwi and of all martyrs. Mroua expressed condolences to the school and Al-'Awiwi's family on behalf of PA Education and Culture Minister Dr. Sabri Saidam.


Al-'Awiwi's classmates recite Koranic verses near at her desk (Source: Wafaimages.ps, February 14, 2016)

In his statement, Mroua noted the cultural and national mission fulfilled by students and education ministry staff in light of the harsh political and security circumstances, and said that this mission embodies the Palestinian people's desire for liberty and independence in the face of the racist actions of the Israeli occupation army and settlers.

School principal Wafaa Al-Karki called on the students to study diligently and seriously like their classmate Al-'Awiwi, and announced that the school's success in the coming school year would be dedicated to the spirit of the martyr Al-'Awiwi.


Mroua along with the school principal and education ministry representatives in Al-'Awiwi's classroom. The Koranic verse on the blackboard (3:169) reads: "And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision." (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016)

Mroua and those attending the event planted an olive tree in the schoolyard to commemorate Al-'Awiwi and to underline the Palestinian people's right to live honorably and independently and to defend their holy sites.[2]


Olive tree planting ceremony (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016)


Mroua overlooking the students attending the memorial (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016)

Later that day, Mroua paid a condolence call to the Al-'Awiwi home, on behalf of the Education and Culture Administration.


Mroua pays condolence call to Al-'Awiwi's home (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016)


Endnotes:

[1] Alwatanvoice.com, February 14, 2016.

[2] Al-Hayat Al-Jadida (PA), February 16, 2016.

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