The young Palestinian woman Zein Al-Dalou embodies the tragedy of an entire generation in the Gaza Strip, as she was born without eyes due to her mother inhaling white phosphorus released by the Israeli occupation army during its aggression on the city in 2008. This internationally prohibited substance deprived Zein of the blessing of sight before she saw the light, growing up with eyelids devoid of eyeballs, in a silent war crime that left its permanent mark on her face and life.
Zein recounts that she did not realize her difference from other children until she was seven years old, as she thought everyone lived in the same darkness that enveloped her world. With the support of her family, she tried to overcome this congenital deformity by installing artificial eyes, but the current war conditions and continuous forced displacement prevented the completion of the necessary treatment journey.
Sources explained that Zein was forced to give up one of her artificial eyes due to serious side effects, as these eyes require periodic maintenance and replacement every six months. In light of the tight siege and the lack of medical supplies in displacement centers, her eye condition deteriorated, making her in urgent need of immediate surgical intervention that is currently unavailable in the afflicted sector.
Despite this suffering, the light of the Holy Quran found its way into Zein's heart, as she began her memorization journey through recitation with the help of her mother, Rula Al-Dalou. The mother would read the verses from the Mushaf, and the daughter would repeat them after her with patience and determination, until she was able to memorize the first ten parts without the need for any assistance other than her strong memory and her mother's voice.
In appreciation of this exceptional achievement, 'Dar Al-Quran Al-Kareem Wa Al-Sunnah' presented Zein with a special Mushaf written in 'Braille', which opened new horizons for her to read and reflect independently. This Mushaf became a constant companion for her in her journey of knowledge and academic excellence, as she was always among the top students in her school despite the lack of specialized educational institutions for the blind.
Zein describes her relationship with the Quran as an eternal friendship, to which she resorts in moments of sadness to find tranquility, and in times of joy to express her gratitude. She did not stop at memorization but moved on to become a supervisor of women's courses and circles for teaching Tajweed of the Holy Quran online, where she follows students from different countries around the world despite communication difficulties in Gaza.
For her part, Zein's mother recalls the first moments of her daughter's birth, when doctors informed her that the child was born without eyeballs, which was a great shock to the family. The mother indicated that the Quran was the only way to calm Zein in her childhood, as the sound of recitation would stop her continuous crying and give her the reassurance she lacked.
During repeated displacement journeys under bombardment, the family was keen to carry Zein's special 'Braille' Mushaf despite its large size and weight, recognizing its moral and spiritual value to their daughter. However, the intensity of the bombing in the second displacement led to the loss of this only Mushaf, adding a new chapter of suffering to Zein's journey with the sacred word.
Zein confirms that the recent war changed her perspective on things, increasing the value of the Quran in her life as it is the only refuge amidst destruction and displacement. She sends a message to everyone around her about the necessity of adhering to the Quran and reflecting on its verses, emphasizing that it is the part that cannot be abandoned in a person's life, no matter how severe the surrounding circumstances.
On the medical front, statistics issued by the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip indicate that eye injuries constitute about 11% of the total injured, a number that reflects the occupation's deliberate use of weapons that cause permanent disabilities. The number of those who completely lost their sight during the recent aggression exceeded 3,000 injured, which places the international community before its responsibilities.
Zein today suffers from a travel ban that prevents her from obtaining new artificial eyes or undergoing the necessary corrective surgeries for her damaged eyelids. She appeals to human rights and medical institutions to intervene to save what remains of her ability to lead a normal life and provide the necessary treatment that prevents the exacerbation of inflammation around her eye.
Zein Al-Dalou's story remains a living testament to the will of the Palestinian people that is not broken by shells or white phosphorus. From the womb of darkness imposed by the occupation, she was able to become a beacon of knowledge and the Quran. It is a story that summarizes the steadfastness of the Gazans who seek light in their hearts when the paths of the earth narrow for them and the crossings close in their faces.
The war taught us a lot, and before it, the Quran was everything to me, but in the war, its preciousness increased, especially during displacement journeys.
شارك برأيك
The occupation blinded her with phosphorus.. The story of Zein Al-Dalou, a girl from Gaza whose insight was illuminated by the Quran